Ecclesiastes 7:19

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 21:22 : 22 A wise man went up against the city of the mighty and brought down the stronghold in which they trust.
  • Prov 24:5 : 5 A wise warrior is strong, and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;
  • Eccl 9:13-18 : 13 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: 14 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. 15 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. 16 So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice. 17 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. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
  • Col 1:9-9 : 9 Paul’s Prayer for the Growth of the Church For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects– bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully
  • 2 Sam 20:16-22 : 16 a wise woman called out from the city,“Listen up! Listen up! Tell Joab,‘Come near so that I may speak to you.’” 17 When he approached her, the woman asked,“Are you Joab?” He replied,“I am.” She said to him,“Listen to the words of your servant.” He said,“Go ahead. I’m listening.” 18 She said,“In the past they would always say,‘Let them inquire in Abel,’ and that is how they settled things. 19 I represent the peaceful and the faithful in Israel. You are attempting to destroy an important city in Israel. Why should you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?” 20 Joab answered,“Get serious! I don’t want to swallow up or destroy anything! 21 That’s not the way things are. There is a man from the hill country of Ephraim named Sheba son of Bicri. He has rebelled against King David. Give me just this one man, and I will leave the city.” The woman said to Joab,“This very minute his head will be thrown over the wall to you!” 22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. Joab blew the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each going to his own home. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Prov 24:5-7
    3 verses
    80%

    5A wise warrior is strong, and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;

    6for with guidance you wage your war, and with numerous advisers there is victory.

    7Wisdom is unattainable for a fool; in court he does not open his mouth.

  • Prov 21:22
    78%

    22A wise man went up against the city of the mighty and brought down the stronghold in which they trust.

  • Eccl 7:10-12
    3 verses
    77%

    10Do not say,“Why were the old days better than these days?” for it is not wise to ask that.

    11Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

    12For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

  • Eccl 9:13-18
    6 verses
    76%

    13Most 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:

    14There 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.

    15However, 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.

    16So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.

    17Wisdom 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.

    18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

  • Eccl 7:18
    76%

    18It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.

  • Prov 8:14
    75%

    14Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me; I possess understanding and might.

  • Prov 4:7
    74%

    7Wisdom is supreme– so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding!

  • Prov 9:1
    74%

    1The Consequences of Accepting Wisdom or Folly Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars.

  • Prov 1:5
    74%

    5(Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!)

  • Job 12:12-13
    2 verses
    74%

    12Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

    13“With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

  • Prov 14:33
    73%

    33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; it is not known in the inner parts of fools.

  • Prov 8:11-12
    2 verses
    73%

    11For wisdom is better than rubies, and desirable things cannot be compared to her.

    12“I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

  • Job 17:9-10
    2 verses
    73%

    9But the righteous man holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.

    10Anticipation of Death“But turn, all of you, and come now! I will not find a wise man among you.

  • Prov 3:13-14
    2 verses
    73%

    13Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom Blessed is the one who has found wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding.

    14For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold.

  • Eccl 10:10
    72%

    10If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

  • Prov 9:9-10
    2 verses
    72%

    9Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.

    10The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

  • Eccl 7:4-5
    2 verses
    72%

    4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.

    5Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

  • 1 Cor 3:19
    72%

    19For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written,“He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

  • Eccl 8:1
    71%

    1Human Government Demonstrates Limitations of Wisdom Who is a wise person? Who knows the solution to a problem? A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh countenance.

  • Isa 3:2
    71%

    2the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders,

  • Prov 1:20
    71%

    20Warning Against Disregarding Wisdom Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas;

  • Prov 11:11
    71%

    11A city is exalted by the blessing provided from the upright, but it is destroyed by the counsel of the wicked.

  • Prov 19:8
    71%

    8The one who acquires understanding loves himself; the one who preserves understanding will prosper.

  • Prov 16:16
    71%

    16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

  • Eccl 2:13
    71%

    13I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:

  • Eccl 8:5
    70%

    5Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.

  • Eccl 2:9
    70%

    9So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:

  • Prov 10:14
    70%

    14Those who are wise store up knowledge, but foolish speech leads to imminent destruction.

  • Prov 2:7
    70%

    7He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity,

  • Prov 14:8
    70%

    8The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.

  • Job 32:9
    70%

    9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right.

  • Prov 14:24
    70%

    24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.

  • Eccl 7:25
    70%

    25True Righteousness and Wisdom Are Virtually Nonexistent I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly.

  • Prov 29:8
    70%

    8Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath.

  • Eccl 4:13
    70%

    13Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.