14 There was a small city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege works against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city,ac and he delivered the city by his wisdom.ad Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength,ae but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

17 The calm words of the wise are heeded

more than the shouts of a ruler over fools.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,

but one sinner can destroy much good.af