¹⁵Now a poor wise man was found in the city, ^eand he delivered the city by his wisdom. ^fYet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, ^gbut the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

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Cross references

e9:15 Ec 4:13
f9:15 2Sm 20:22
g9:16 Ec 7:19

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

NLTNew Living Translation

A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him. 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.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Now, a poor wise man was found in it, and he delivered the city by his wisdom. But no one remembered that poor man. So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, yet the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.

KJV 1900King James Version

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

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