Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. New Living Translation So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long. English Standard Version But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. Berean Standard Bible And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” King James Bible Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. New King James Version Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard. New American Standard Bible So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are ignored. NASB 1995 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. NASB 1977 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. Legacy Standard Bible So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heard. Amplified Bible But I say that wisdom is better than strength, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heeded. Christian Standard Bible And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” Holman Christian Standard Bible And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” American Standard Version Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. Contemporary English Version So I decided that wisdom is better than strength. Yet if you are poor, no one pays any attention to you, no matter how smart you are. English Revised Version Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. GOD'S WORD® Translation So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength," even though that poor person's wisdom was despised, and no one listened to what he said. Good News Translation I have always said that wisdom is better than strength, but no one thinks of the poor as wise or pays any attention to what they say. International Standard Version So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard." NET Bible So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man's wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice. New Heart English Bible Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. Webster's Bible Translation Then said I, wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” World English Bible Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I said, “Better [is] wisdom than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.” Young's Literal Translation And I said, 'Better is wisdom than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.' -- Smith's Literal Translation And I said, Wisdom is good above strength: and the wisdom of the poor one was despised, and his words not heard. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I said that wisdom is better than strength: how then is the wisdom of the poor man slighted, and his words not heard? Catholic Public Domain Version And so, I declared that wisdom is better than strength. But how is it, then, that the wisdom of the poor man is treated with contempt, and his words are not heeded? New American Bible Though I had said, “Wisdom is better than force,” yet the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words go unheeded. New Revised Standard Version So I said, “Wisdom is better than might; yet the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heeded.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen said I, Wisdom is better than might; nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heeded. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I said in my heart: "Wisdom is better than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised and his statements are not heeded OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then said I: 'Wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And I said Wisdom is better than power: yet the wisdom of the poor man is set at nought, and his words not listened to. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Wisdom is Better than Strength…15Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” 17The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.… Cross References Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. Proverbs 19:8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Proverbs 3:13-18 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ... Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Luke 21:15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Treasury of Scripture Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. wisdom Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. the poor Proverbs 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. Mark 6:2,3 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 him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? … John 7:47-49 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? … Jump to Previous Better Despised Heard Hearing Heeded Longer Nevertheless Poor Respected Strength Wisdom WordsJump to Next Better Despised Heard Hearing Heeded Longer Nevertheless Poor Respected Strength Wisdom WordsEcclesiastes 9 1. like things happen to good and bad4. there is a necessity of death unto men 7. Comfort is all their portion in this life 11. God's providence rules over all 13. wisdom is better than strength And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, This phrase emphasizes the value of wisdom over physical power or might. In the biblical context, wisdom is often associated with a deep understanding of God's will and the ability to make righteous decisions. The Book of Proverbs frequently contrasts wisdom with folly, highlighting its superiority (Proverbs 3:13-18). Historically, wisdom was highly esteemed in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often seen as a divine gift. This echoes the biblical narrative of Solomon, who chose wisdom over wealth or power (1 Kings 3:9-12). The phrase also foreshadows the teachings of Jesus, who often emphasized the importance of spiritual insight over worldly power (Matthew 5:5). but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is a reflection on the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom. 2. The Poor Wise Man Although not named, this figure in Ecclesiastes 9:16 represents those who possess wisdom but lack social status or wealth. His wisdom is undervalued despite its potential to save a city. 3. The City Represents any community or society that stands to benefit from wisdom, yet often overlooks it due to superficial judgments based on wealth or status. Teaching Points The Value of WisdomWisdom is more valuable than wealth or power. In a world that often prioritizes material success, we must remember that true wisdom, which comes from God, holds eternal value. The Humility of Wisdom True wisdom often comes with humility. The poor wise man in Ecclesiastes 9:16 is a reminder that wisdom is not always accompanied by recognition or status. The Misjudgment of Society Society often misjudges the value of individuals based on their economic status. As Christians, we are called to look beyond material wealth and recognize the God-given wisdom in others. The Power of Influence Even when unrecognized, wisdom has the power to influence and save. We should strive to be wise in our actions and decisions, trusting that God can use our wisdom for His purposes. Seeking Godly Wisdom We are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to those who ask. This wisdom can guide us in making decisions that honor Him and benefit others. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 9What does the Bible say about foolishness? Proverbs 23:9 says not to speak to a fool; does this conflict with the New Testament's call to share truth with everyone? Does the advice to sharpen the axe in Ecclesiastes 10:10 imply a reliance on human effort over divine intervention, creating tension with texts that stress faith and dependence on God? In Ecclesiastes 9:5, if the dead truly 'know nothing,' how does that square with verses elsewhere suggesting an active afterlife?Verse 16. - Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength. The latter part of the verse is not a correction of the former, but the whole comes under the observation introduced by "I said." The story just related leads to this assertion, which reproduces the gnome of Ecclesiastes 7:19, wherein it is asserted that wisdom effects more than mere physical strength. There is an interpolation in the Old Latin Version of Wisd. 6. I which seems to have been compiled from this passage and Proverbs 16:13, "Melter est sapientia quam vires, et vir prudens quam fortis." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, etc. In the instance above mentioned the poor man's wisdom was not despised and his words were heard and attended to; but this was an abnormal case, occasioned by the extremity of the peril. Koheleth states the result which usually attends wisdom emanating from a disesteemed source. The experience of Ben-Sire pointed to the same issue (see Ecclus. 13:22, 23). Horace, 'Epist.,' 1:1.57 - "Est animus tibi, sunt mores et lingua fidesque, "In wit, worth, honor, one in vain abounds; Hebrew And Iאָ֔נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I said, וְאָמַ֣רְתִּי (wə·’ā·mar·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Wisdom חָכְמָ֖ה (ḥāḵ·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2451: Wisdom is better טוֹבָ֥ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good than strength, מִגְּבוּרָ֑ה (mig·gə·ḇū·rāh) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1369: Force, valor, victory but the wisdom וְחָכְמַ֤ת (wə·ḥā·ḵə·maṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2451: Wisdom of the poor הַמִּסְכֵּן֙ (ham·mis·kên) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4542: Indigent man is despised, בְּזוּיָ֔ה (bə·zū·yāh) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular Strong's 959: To disesteem and his words וּדְבָרָ֖יו (ū·ḏə·ḇā·rāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause are not אֵינָ֥ם (’ê·nām) Adverb | third person masculine plural Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle heeded.” נִשְׁמָעִֽים׃ (niš·mā·‘îm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently Links Ecclesiastes 9:16 NIVEcclesiastes 9:16 NLT Ecclesiastes 9:16 ESV Ecclesiastes 9:16 NASB Ecclesiastes 9:16 KJV Ecclesiastes 9:16 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 9:16 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 9:16 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 9:16 French Bible Ecclesiastes 9:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 9:16 Then said I Wisdom is better than (Ecclesiast. 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