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1Again I saw that under the sun 2the race is not to the swift, nor 3the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and 4chance 5happen to them all.
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For man 6does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and 7like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are 8snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
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I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.
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There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.
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But there was found in it 9a poor, wise man, and he by his 10wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
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But I say that 11wisdom is better than might, though 12the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
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The words of the wise heard in 13quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
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14Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but 15one sinner destroys much good.