Ecclesiastes 7:12
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
- KJV
- For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
- WEB
- For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
- ASV
- For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
- DARBY
- For wisdom is a defence [as] money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, [that] wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.
- BLB
- For in the shadow of wisdom [is as] in the shadow of silver, and the advantage of knowledge [is] that wisdom keeps alive her owners.
- ÅB
- for å være i visdommens skygge er som å være i skyggen av rikdom, men kunnskapens fortrinn er at visdommen holder sin eier i live.
- OTB
- Visdom er en beskyttelse, som penger er en beskyttelse, men fordelen med kunnskap er at visdom bevarer livet til den som har den.
- B1930
- for å være i visdommens skygge er som å være i skyggen av rikdom, men kunnskapens fortrin er at visdommen holder sin eier i live.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 8:35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Read in contextProverbs 2:7
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Read in contextProverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Read in contextProverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Read in contextJudges 9:15
And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Read in contextJohn 12:50
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Read in contextProverbs 18:10–11
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Read in contextJohn 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Read in context