The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites(A) who inhabited the land. The Jebusites had said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you”; thinking, “David can’t get in here.”

Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.(B) He said that day, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David.”[a] For this reason it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the house.”[b]

David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David. He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:8 Alt Hb tradition, LXX, Tg, Syr read who despise David
  2. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or temple, or palace

26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(A)

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A wise warrior is better than a strong one,[a]
and a man of knowledge than one of strength;[b](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 LXX, Syr; MT reads one is in strength
  2. Proverbs 24:5 LXX, Syr, Tg; MT reads knowledge exerts strength

19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger
than ten rulers of a city.(A)

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14 There was a small city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege works against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city,(A) and he delivered the city by his wisdom.(B) Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength,(C) but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

17 The calm words of the wise are heeded
more than the shouts of a ruler over fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much good.(D)

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