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Contemporary English Version

Ecclesiastes 7:12

Wisdom will protect you just like money; knowledge with good sense will lead you to life.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Money;   Riches;   Wisdom;   The Topic Concordance - Defense;   Life;   Wealth;   Wisdom;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Money;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Wisdom literature;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Future State;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ecclesiastes, Book of;   Poetry;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher;   Excellency;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Aḥa B. Jacob;   Ḳara, Joseph ben Simeon;   Meïr;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for September 3;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
because wisdom is protection as silver is protection;but the advantage of knowledgeis that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
Hebrew Names Version
For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
King James Version
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
English Standard Version
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
New American Standard Bible
For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive.
New Century Version
Wisdom is like money: they both help. But wisdom is better, because it can save whoever has it.
Amplified Bible
For wisdom is a protection even as money is a protection, But the [excellent] advantage of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the lives of its possessors.
World English Bible
For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For man shall rest in the shadowe of wisedome, and in the shadowe of siluer: but the excellencie of the knowledge of wisedome giueth life to the possessers thereof.
Legacy Standard Bible
For wisdom is a shadow of protection as money is a shadow of protection,And the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its masters.
Berean Standard Bible
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
Complete Jewish Bible
For wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps the one who has it alive.
Darby Translation
For wisdom is a defence [as] money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, [that] wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.
Easy-to-Read Version
Wisdom and money can protect you. But knowledge gained through wisdom is even better—it can save your life.
George Lamsa Translation
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to him who possesses it.
Good News Translation
and will give you as much security as money can. Wisdom keeps you safe—this is the advantage of knowledge.
Lexham English Bible
For wisdom offers protection like money offers protection. But knowledge has an advantage—wisdom restores life to its possessor.
Literal Translation
For wisdom is in a shadow; and silver is in a shadow; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For wy?dome defendeth as well as moneye, and the excellent knowlege and wy?dome geueth life vnto him that hath it in possession.
American Standard Version
For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
Bible in Basic English
Wisdom keeps a man from danger even as money does; but the value of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to its owner.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
King James Version (1611)
For wisedome is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellencie of knowledge is, that wisedome giueth life to them that haue it.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For wysdome defendeth aswell as money, and the excellent knowledge & wysdome geueth lyfe vnto hym that hath it in possession.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and there is an advantage by it to them that see the sun.
English Revised Version
For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For as wisdom defendith, so money defendith; but lernyng and wisdom hath this more, that tho yyuen lijf to `her weldere.
Update Bible Version
For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserves the life of him that has it.
Webster's Bible Translation
For wisdom [is] a defense, [and] money [is] a defense: but the excellence of knowledge [is], [that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
New English Translation
For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
New King James Version
For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
New Living Translation
Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.
New Life Bible
For wisdom keeps one from danger just as money keeps one from danger. But the good thing about much learning is that wisdom keeps alive those who have it.
New Revised Standard
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, a protection, is wisdom, and, a protection, is silver, - but, the advantage of knowledge, is, that, wisdom, giveth life to the possessors thereof.
Douay-Rheims Bible
(7-13) For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.
Revised Standard Version
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Young's Literal Translation
For wisdom [is] a defense, money [is] a defence, And the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom [is], She reviveth her possessors.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

Contextual Overview

11 Having wisdom is better than an inheritance. 12 Wisdom will protect you just like money; knowledge with good sense will lead you to life. 13 Think of what God has done! If God makes something crooked, can you make it straight? 14 When times are good, you should be cheerful; when times are bad, think what it means. God makes them both to keep us from knowing what will happen next. 15 I have seen everything during this senseless life of mine. I have seen good citizens die for doing the right thing, and I have seen criminals live to a ripe old age. 16 So don't destroy yourself by being too good or acting too smart! 17 Don't die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool. 18 Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God. 19 Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city. 20 No one in this world always does right.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

wisdom: Job 1:10, Job 22:21-25, Proverbs 2:7, Proverbs 2:11, Proverbs 14:20, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 18:11, Isaiah 33:6

a defence: Heb. a shadow, Judges 9:15, Psalms 57:1, Isaiah 30:2, Isaiah 32:2

the excellency: Deuteronomy 30:19, Deuteronomy 30:20, Deuteronomy 32:47, Proverbs 3:18, Proverbs 8:35, Proverbs 9:11, Proverbs 11:4, John 12:50, John 17:3, Philippians 3:8

Reciprocal: Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is Proverbs 4:13 - she Proverbs 8:19 - General Proverbs 10:15 - rich Proverbs 14:24 - crown Proverbs 16:16 - General Ecclesiastes 1:15 - crooked Ecclesiastes 2:13 - I saw Ecclesiastes 10:19 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 7:4
Seven days from now I will send rain that will last for forty days and nights, and I will destroy all other living creatures I have made.
Genesis 7:17
For forty days the rain poured down without stopping. And the water became deeper and deeper, until the boat started floating high above the ground.
Deuteronomy 9:9
It happened during those forty days and nights that I was on the mountain, without anything to eat or drink. He had told me to come up there so he could give me the agreement he made with us. And this agreement was actually the same Ten Commandments he had announced to you when he spoke from the fire on the mountain. The Lord had written them on two flat stones with his own hand. But after giving me the two stones,
Deuteronomy 9:18
I bowed down at the place of worship and prayed to the Lord , without eating or drinking for forty days and nights. You had committed a terrible sin by making that idol, and the Lord hated what you had done. He was angry enough to destroy all of you and Aaron as well. So I prayed for you and Aaron as I had done before, and this time the Lord answered my prayers.
Deuteronomy 10:10
Moses said to Israel: When I had taken the second set of stones up the mountain, I spent forty days and nights there, just as I had done before. Once again, the Lord answered my prayer and did not destroy you.
1 Kings 19:8
So Elijah sat up and ate and drank. The food and water made him strong enough to walk forty more days. At last, he reached Mount Sinai, the mountain of God,
Matthew 4:2
After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence,.... Or, a "shadow" of refreshment and protection, under which men sit with pleasure and safety; a man by his wisdom, and so by his money, is able to defend himself against the injuries and oppressions of others, and especially when both meet in one and the same man. Jarchi renders and interprets it,

"he that is in the shadow of wisdom is in the shadow of money, for wisdom is the cause why riches come;''

and so the Targum,

"as a man is hid in the shadow of wisdom, so he is hid in the shadow of money, when he does alms with it;''

compare with this Luke 16:9; see Ecclesiastes 7:19. Theognis o has a saying much like this,

"riches and wisdom are always inexpugnable to mortals;''

but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it; or, "the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life" p, c. not of natural wisdom, or the knowledge of natural and civil things, the vanity of this is exposed, before by the wise man but the knowledge of God in Christ; the knowledge of Christ, who is the Wisdom of God; and of the Gospel, and of all divine and spiritual things: this is a superior excellency to riches, which often expose a man's life to danger, cannot preserve him from a corporeal death, much less from an eternal one. When this is the excellency of spiritual knowledge, that spiritual life goes along with it; such as are spiritually enlightened are spiritually quickened; live by faith on Christ, whom they know; and, through the knowledge of him, have all things pertaining to life and godliness, and have both a right and meetness for eternal life; yea, this knowledge is life eternal,

John 17:3; see 2 Peter 1:3; and this is the pure gift of Wisdom, or of Christ, and not owing to the merit of men, or works done in obedience to the law, which cannot give this life; see John 17:2 Romans 6:23.

o Sententiae, v. 1153. p ויתרון דעת החכמה תחיה "et praestantia scientiae sapientiae vivificabit", Montanus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wisdom is a defense ... - See the margin and Psalms 121:5, i. e., He who is defended from adversity by his wisdom is in as good a position as he who is defended by his riches.

Excellency - literally, Profit.

Giveth life to - literally, “Causes to live,” “makes alive” Proverbs 3:18; the deeper meaning of which is elicited by comparing these words with John 6:63; Matthew 4:4.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ecclesiastes 7:12. Wisdom is a defence — To whom Solomon answers: All true wisdom is most undoubtedly a great advantage to men in all circumstances; and money is also of great use: but it cannot be compared to wisdom. Knowledge of Divine and human things is a great blessing. Money is the means of supporting our animal life: but wisdom - the religion of the true God - gives life to them that have it. Money cannot procure the favour of God, nor give life to the soul.


 
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