¹⁰Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire ^†wisely concerning this. ¹¹Wisdom is ^||good with an inheritance: and by it there is ^sprofit ^tto them that see the sun. ¹²For wisdom is a ^†defence, and money is a ^†defence: but the ^uexcellency of knowledge is, that wisdom ^wgiveth life to ^xthem that have it.

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Footnotes

†Heb. out of wisdom.
||Or, as good as an inheritance, yea, better too.
sSee ch. 2:15.
tch. 11:7 (Heb.).
†Heb. shadow. See Num. 14:9. Comp. ch. 10:19.
†Heb. shadow. See Num. 14:9. Comp. ch. 10:19.
uSee ch. 1:3.
wSo Prov. 3:18.
xSee ch. 5:11.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance,

an advantage to those who see the sun.

For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,

and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”

For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing

and benefits those who see the sun.

Wisdom is a shelter

as money is a shelter,

but the advantage of knowledge is this:

Wisdom preserves those who have it.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?”

since it is not wise of you to ask this.

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance

and an advantage to those who see the sun,

because wisdom is protection as silver is protection;

but the advantage of knowledge

is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

NLTNew Living Translation

Don’t long for “the good old days.”

This is not wise.

Wisdom is even better when you have money.

Both are a benefit as you go through life.

Wisdom and money can get you almost anything,

but only wisdom can save your life.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance;

it benefits the living.

For wisdom offers protection like money offers protection.

But knowledge has an advantage—wisdom restores life to its possessor.