Scripture · Old Testament
Ecclesiastes 9:16
Ecclesiastes 9:16 is verse 16 of Ecclesiastes chapter 9, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
Berean Standard Bible
And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
King James Version
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
World English Bible
Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 9:14–18 · Berean Standard Bible
14 There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.
15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
17 The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 9Hebrew words
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Study Ecclesiastes 9:16
Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ecclesiastes 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Proverbs 21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
Proverbs 24:5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
Proverbs 10:15The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
Mark 6:2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked. “What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles?
Mark 6:3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
John 7:47“Have you also been deceived?” replied the Pharisees.
John 7:48“Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him?
John 7:49But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse.”
John 9:24So a second time they called for the man who had been blind and said, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.”
John 9:25He answered, “Whether He is a sinner I do not know. There is one thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!”
John 9:26“What did He do to you?” they asked. “How did He open your eyes?”
John 9:27He replied, “I already told you, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”
John 9:28Then they heaped insults on him and said, “You are His disciple; we are disciples of Moses.
John 9:29We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man is from.”
John 9:30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.
John 9:31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.
John 9:32Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
John 9:33If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.”
John 9:34They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.
1 Corinthians 1:26Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
1 Corinthians 1:27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:28He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,
1 Corinthians 1:29so that no one may boast in His presence.
James 2:2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
James 2:3If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”
James 2:4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
James 2:6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?