12. For man also does not know his time:Like fish taken in a cruel net,Like birds caught in a snare,So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,When it falls suddenly upon them.
13. This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
14. There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it.
15. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
16. Then I said:“Wisdom is better than strength.Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised,And his words are not heard.
17. Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heardRather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
18. Wisdom is better than weapons of war;But one sinner destroys much good.”