Ecclesiastes 7:14-19
New American Standard Bible
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?
18It is good that you grasp one thing while not letting go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with both of them.
King James Version
Chapter 7
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? 18It 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. 19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.Christian Standard Bible
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?
18It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them.
New Living Translation
15I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people.
16So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself?
17On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time?
18Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.
English Standard Version
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?
18It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
New International Version
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
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?
18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.
19 Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.