15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

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15 In this meaningless life(A) of mine I have seen both of these:

the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
    and the wicked living long in their wickedness.(B)
16 Do not be overrighteous,
    neither be overwise—
    why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
    and do not be a fool—
    why die before your time?(C)
18 It is good to grasp the one
    and not let go of the other.
    Whoever fears God(D) will avoid all extremes.[a]

19 Wisdom(E) makes one wise person more powerful(F)
    than ten rulers in a city.

20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,(G)
    no one who does what is right and never sins.(H)

21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
    or you(I) may hear your servant cursing you—

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:18 Or will follow them both

15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity:

(A)There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,
And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.

16 (B)Do not be overly righteous,
(C)Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
(D)Why should you die before your time?
18 It is good that you grasp this,
And also not remove your hand from the other;
For he who (E)fears God will [a]escape them all.

19 (F)Wisdom strengthens the wise
More than ten rulers of the city.

20 (G)For there is not a just man on earth who does good
And does not sin.

21 Also do not take to heart everything people say,
Lest you hear your servant cursing you.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:18 Lit. come forth from all of them