Ecclesiastes 9:11–18

11 I again saw under the sun that the arace is not to the swift and the bbattle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor cwealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and dchance overtake them all.

12 Moreover, man does not aknow his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and bbirds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are censnared at an evil time when it dsuddenly falls on them.

13 Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and 1it impressed me.

14 There awas a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it.

15 But there was found in it a apoor wise man and he 1delivered the city bby his wisdom. Yet cno one remembered that poor man.

16 So I said, “aWisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.

17 The awords of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

18 aWisdom is better than weapons of war, but bone sinner destroys much good.