Ecclesiastes 9:18
16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
- KJV
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- WEB
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
- ASV
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- DARBY
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- BLB
- Better wisdom than weapons of war, and one sinner can destroy much good.
- ÅB
- Visdom er bedre enn krigsvåpen, men en synder kan ødelegge meget godt.
[^1]: Ingen kan av de ytre omstendigheter med sikkerhet slutte seg til Guds velbehag eller mishag med ham selv eller andre.
[^2]: de rettferdige og vise. - OTB
- Visdom overgår krigsvåpen, men en enkelt synder kan ødelegge mye godt.
- B1930
- Visdom er bedre enn krigsvåben, men en synder kan ødelegge meget godt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Read in contextJoshua 7:11–12
Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Read in contextJoshua 7:5
And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
Read in context2 Timothy 2:16–18
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Read in context2 Timothy 4:3–4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Read in contextTitus 1:10–11
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Read in context2 Timothy 3:8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
Read in context