Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 7:16
American Standard Version
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Amplified® Bible
Be not [morbidly exacting and externally] righteous overmuch, neither strive to make yourself [pretentiously appear] overwise--why should you [get puffed up and] destroy yourself [with presumptuous self-sufficiency]?
Contemporary English Version
So don't destroy yourself by being too good or acting too smart!
Darby English Version
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Good News Bible
So don't be too good or too wise---why kill yourself ?
King James Version
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
New American Standard Bible
Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?
New International Version
Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
New King James Version
Do not be overly righteous,
Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Do not seem excessively righteous and do not seem overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?
Revised Standard Version
Be not righteous overmuch, and do not make yourself overwise; why should you destroy yourself?
Young's Literal Translation
Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?