Ecclesiastes 7:12 kjv — For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them th…

King James Version

"For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it."

— Ecclesiastes 7:12, King James Version

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Ecclesiastes 7:12 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

9

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

11

Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

12

For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

13

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

14

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

15

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:12 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:12 in the King James Version reads: “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:12 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 12.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 7:12.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:12 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 7:12?
Ecclesiastes 7:12 reads (KJV): “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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