Text -- Ecclesiastes 9:16-18 (NET)

9:16 So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.

Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly

9:17 The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools. 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Ecc 9:16

¹ tn Or “power.”

² tn The participle form נִשְׁמָעִים (nishma’im, Niphal participle mpl from שָׁמַע, “to listen”) is used verbally to emphasize a continual, durative, gnomic action.

³ tn Heb “his words are never listened to.”

NET Notes: Ecc 9:17

¹ tn The phrase “is heard” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity and smoothness. Note its appearance in the previous line.