Ecclesiastes 9:18

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

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

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Josh 7:1 : 1 Achan Sins and is Punished But the Israelites disobeyed the command about the city’s riches. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, stole some of the riches. The LORD was furious with the Israelites.
  • Josh 7:5 : 5 The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them and chased them from in front of the city gate all the way to the fissures and defeated them on the steep slope. The people’s courage melted away like water.
  • Josh 7:11-12 : 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenantal commandment! They have taken some of the riches; they have stolen them and deceitfully put them among their own possessions. 12 The Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they retreat because they have become subject to annihilation. I will no longer be with you, unless you destroy what has contaminated you.
  • Eccl 9:16 : 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.
  • 2 Thess 2:8-9 : 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. 9 The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, 10 and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. 11 Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. 12 And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.
  • 2 Tim 2:16-18 : 16 But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 17 and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 18 They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith.
  • 2 Tim 3:8 : 8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people– who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith– also oppose the truth.
  • 2 Tim 4:3-4 : 3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.
  • Titus 1:10-11 : 10 For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections, 11 who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.
  • Heb 12:15-16 : 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled. 16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
  • Josh 22:20 : 20 When Achan son of Zerah disobeyed the command about the city’s riches, the entire Israelite community was judged, though only one man had sinned. He most certainly died for his sin!’”
  • 1 Sam 14:28-29 : 28 Then someone from the army informed him,“Your father put the army under a strict oath saying,‘Cursed be the man who eats food today!’ That is why the army is tired.” 29 Then Jonathan said,“My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed when I tasted just a little of this honey.
  • 1 Sam 14:36-46 : 36 Saul said,“Let’s go down after the Philistines at night; we will rout them until the break of day. We won’t leave any of them alive!” They replied,“Do whatever seems best to you.” But the priest said,“Let’s approach God here.” 37 So Saul asked God,“Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. 38 Then Saul said,“All you leaders of the army come here. Find out how this sin occurred today. 39 For as surely as the LORD, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!” But no one from the army said anything. 40 Then he said to all Israel,“You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The army replied to Saul,“Do whatever you think is best.” 41 Then Saul said,“O LORD God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O LORD God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim.” Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated. 42 Then Saul said,“Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan!” Jonathan was indicated by lot. 43 So Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him,“I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!” 44 Saul said,“God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn’t die!” 45 But the army said to Saul,“Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the LORD lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground! For it is with the help of God that he has acted today.” So the army rescued Jonathan from death. 46 Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home.
  • 2 Sam 20:1-2 : 1 Sheba’s Rebellion Now a wicked man named Sheba son of Bicri, a Benjaminite, happened to be there. He blew the trumpet and said,“We have no share in David; we have no inheritance in this son of Jesse! Every man go home, O Israel!” 2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stuck by their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

Similar Verses (AI)

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

  • Eccl 9:15-17
    3 verses
    77%

    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.

  • Eccl 7:19
    76%

    19Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.

  • Eccl 1:18
    73%

    18For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

  • Eccl 9:13
    72%

    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:

  • Prov 19:8
    72%

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

  • Prov 10:19
    72%

    19When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise.

  • Prov 10:13-14
    2 verses
    72%

    13Wisdom is found in the words of the discerning person, but the one who lacks sense will be disciplined.

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

  • Prov 8:11
    71%

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

  • Eccl 7:11
    71%

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

  • Eccl 7:5
    71%

    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.

  • Prov 19:1-3
    3 verses
    71%

    1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool.

    2It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices.

    3A person’s folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD.

  • Prov 21:22
    70%

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

  • Prov 14:8
    70%

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

  • Prov 10:23
    70%

    23Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.

  • Prov 24:6-7
    2 verses
    70%

    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 3:13
    70%

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

  • Prov 12:18
    70%

    18Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.

  • Prov 20:18
    70%

    18Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.

  • Prov 13:10
    70%

    10With pride comes only contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

  • Prov 14:33
    70%

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

  • Prov 29:8-9
    2 verses
    70%

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

    9When a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs.

  • Prov 13:20
    69%

    20The one who associates with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

  • Prov 17:10
    69%

    10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.

  • Eccl 4:13
    69%

    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.

  • Prov 16:16
    69%

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

  • Prov 29:11
    69%

    11A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.

  • Prov 13:6
    69%

    6Righteousness guards the one who lives with integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

  • Prov 14:17
    69%

    17A person who has a quick temper will do foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes will be hated.

  • Eccl 2:13
    69%

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

  • Prov 15:1
    69%

    1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

  • Eccl 7:7
    69%

    7Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart.

  • Prov 14:29
    69%

    29Someone with great understanding is slow to anger, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

  • Prov 18:15
    69%

    15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.

  • Eccl 10:9-10
    2 verses
    69%

    9One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

    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 11:12
    69%

    12The one who denounces his neighbor lacks sense, but a discerning person keeps silent.

  • Ps 37:16
    69%

    16The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men,

  • Prov 13:15-16
    2 verses
    69%

    15Keen insight wins favor, but the conduct of the treacherous ends in destruction.

    16Every shrewd person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

  • Prov 4:7
    69%

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

  • Prov 18:1
    69%

    1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.

  • Job 17:10
    69%

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

  • Prov 15:21
    69%

    21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.