NET Bible
"However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man."
— Ecclesiastes 9:15, NET Bible
“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.”
“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. ”
“Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.”
“Now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembered that poor man.”
“Now there was in the town a poor, wise man, and he, by his wisdom, kept the town safe. But no one had any memory of that same poor man.”
“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.”
Surely, no one knows his appointed time! Like fish that are caught in a deadly net, and like birds that are caught in a snare– just like them, all people are ensnared at an unfortunate time that falls upon them suddenly.
Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:
There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it.
However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man.
So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.
Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.