Ecclesiastes 7:12-20

¹²For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence. But knowledge hath the advantage. For wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

¹³Consider the work of God! Who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?

¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful; but look for a day of adversity! for this also, as well as the other, hath God appointed, to the end that a man should not find out any thing which shall be after him.

¹⁵All this have I seen in my days of vanity. There are righteous men who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked men who live long in their wickedness.

¹⁶Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself over-wise! Why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷Be not overmuch wicked; neither be thou a fool! Why shouldst thou die before thy time?

¹⁸It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yea, also, from that withdraw not thy hand. For he that feareth God shall escape all those things.

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

²⁰Truly there is not a righteous man upon the earth who doeth good and sinneth not.