Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
KJV
Et dicebam ego meliorem esse sapientiam fortitudine. Quomodo ergo sapientia pauperis contempta est, et verba ejus non sunt audita ?
Vulgate
καὶ εἶπα ἐγώ Ἀγαθὴ σοφία ὑπὲρ δύναμιν· καὶ σοφία τοῦ πένητος ἐξουδενωμένη, καὶ οἱ λόγοι αὐτοῦ οὐκ εἰσακουόμενοι,
LXX
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
ASV
וְ/אָמַ֣רְתִּי אָ֔נִי טוֹבָ֥ה חָכְמָ֖ה מִ/גְּבוּרָ֑ה וְ/חָכְמַ֤ת הַ/מִּסְכֵּן֙ בְּזוּיָ֔ה וּ/דְבָרָ֖י/ו אֵינָ֥/ם נִשְׁמָעִֽים
Hebrew
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In the original Hebrew
10 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.
Historic Christian voices
4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
1. In what has gone before he had shown that the sacrifices were unavailing for perfect purification, and were a type, and greatly defective. Since then there was this objection to his argument, If they are types, how is it that, after the truth has come, they have not ceased, nor given place, but are still performed? He here accordingly labors at this very point, showing that …
Cross-references
- 1Cor 1:26 — For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
- Eccl 7:19 — Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
- Eccl 9:18 — Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- Eccl 9:18 — Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- Jas 2:2 — For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
- John 7:47 — Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
- John 9:24 — Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
- Mark 6:2 — And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto
- Prov 4:7 — Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
- Prov 8:14 — Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
- Prov 10:15 — The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
- Prov 21:22 — A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
- Prov 24:5 — A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.