Ecclesiastes 7:12-17
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 7
12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive. 13Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness.
16Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?
17Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
King James Version
Chapter 7
12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. 13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 15All 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. 16Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 7
12because wisdom is protection as silver is protection; but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 13Consider the work of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?
15In my futile life I have seen everything: someone righteous perishes in spite of his righteousness, and someone wicked lives long in spite of his evil.
16Don't be excessively righteous, and don't be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
17Don't be excessively wicked, and don't be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
New Living Translation
English Standard Version
Chapter 7
12For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. 13Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
15In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.
16Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
17Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
New International Version
13Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
15In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself?
17Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time?
New King James Version
Chapter 7
12For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. 13Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
15I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
16 Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
17Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?