Ecclesiastes 7:16

Compare all

14 ^aIn the day of prosperity be joyful,
But in the day of adversity consider:
Surely God has appointed the one¹ as well as the other,
So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.

15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
^aThere is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,
And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.

16 ^aDo not be overly righteous,
^bNor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?

17 Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
^aWhy 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 ^afears God will escape them all.

19 ^aWisdom strengthens the wise
More than ten rulers of the city.

20 ^aFor 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.

22 For many times, also, your own heart has known
That even you have cursed others.

Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 7:16

<< Ecclesiastes 7:15

Ecclesiastes 7:17 >>

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?

<< Ecclesiastes 7:15

Ecclesiastes 7:17 >>

Join 137,059+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning