Ecclesiastes 7:16-23 in English

¹⁶ Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

²² for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.

¹⁷ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest thou shouldest die before thy time.

¹⁸ It is well for thee to hold fast by this; also by this defile not thine hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

¹⁹ Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²⁰ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin.

²¹ Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

²² For many times he shall trespass against thee, and repeatedly shall he afflict thine heart; for thus also hast thou cursed others.

²³ All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It 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.

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

²⁰ For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²² For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It 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.

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

²⁰ For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²² For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁷ Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

¹⁸ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

¹⁹ It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

²⁰ Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²¹ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

²² Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

²³ For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²² for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ So do not think that you are very righteous and do not think that you are very wise, because if you think those things, you will destroy yourself.

¹⁷ If you do what is evil or do what is foolish, you might die while you are still young.

¹⁸ Continue to avoid doing what is evil and doing what is foolish; avoid doing both of those things by continually revering God.

¹⁹ If you are wise, you will be more powerful/influential than the ten most powerful/influential men in your city.

²⁰ There is no one in this world who always does what is right and who never sins.

²¹ Do not pay attention IDM to everything that people say, because if you do that, you might hear your servant cursing you.

²² You know that you have also cursed other people.

²³ I said to myself that I would use my wisdom to study all the things that I have written about, but I was not able to do it successfully.

¹⁶ I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁷ Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

¹⁸ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

¹⁹ It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

²⁰ Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²¹ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

²² Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

²³ For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?

¹⁷ Be not evil overmuch, and be not foolish. Why come to your end before your time?

¹⁸ It is good to take this in your hand and not to keep your hand from that; he who has the fear of God will be free of the two.

¹⁹ Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers in a town.

²⁰ There is no man on earth of such righteousness that he does good and is free from sin all his days.

²¹ Do not give ear to all the words which men say, for fear of hearing the curses of your servant.

²² Your heart has knowledge how frequently others have been cursed by you.

²³ All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God cometh forth from them all.

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

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

²¹ Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.

²² For also thine own heart knoweth that oftentimes thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.

¹⁷ Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

¹⁸ Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

¹⁹ It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

²⁰ Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

²¹ For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

²² But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

²³ For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

¹⁶ Don't think you can make yourself right by a lot of religious observance, and don't pretend to be so wise. Do you want to destroy yourself?

¹⁷ On the other hand, don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?

¹⁸ You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.

¹⁹ Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.

²⁰ There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.

²¹ Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly about you,

²² for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!

²³ I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.

¹⁶ In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction consider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man shoulde finde nothing after him.

¹⁷ I haue seene all things in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his iustice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice.

¹⁸ Be not thou iust ouermuch, neither make thy selfe ouerwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate?

¹⁹ Be not thou wicked ouermuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?

²⁰ It is good that thou lay hold on this: but yet withdrawe not thine hand from that: for he that feareth God, shall come forth of them all.

²¹ Wisedome shall strengthen the wise man more then ten mightie princes that are in ye citie.

²² Surely there is no man iust in the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

²³ Giue not thine heart also to all ye wordes that men speake, lest thou doe heare thy seruant cursing thee.

¹⁶ Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldest take hold of the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

²⁰ For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

²² for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It 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.

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

²⁰ For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²² for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither show thyself over wise: why wouldst thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not wicked over much, and be no fool: why wouldst thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldst take hold of that, and that also from this thou withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God will come forth out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom giveth more strength to the wise than ten rulers which were in the city.

²⁰ For no man is so righteous upon earth, that he should do always good, and never sin.—

²¹ Also take no heed unto all the words that are spoken: lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

²² For oftentimes also doth thy own heart know that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.—

²³ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not very just; Neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.

¹⁷ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: Lest thou shouldest die before thy time.

¹⁸ It is well for thee to hold fast by this; Also by this defile not thy hand: For to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

¹⁹ Wisdom will help the wise man More than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²⁰ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, Who will do good, and not sin.

²¹ Also take no heed To all the words which ungodly men shall speak; Lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

²² For many times he shall trespass against thee, And repeatedly shall he afflict thy heart; For thus also hast thou cursed others.

²³ All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

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

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

¹⁸ It 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.

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

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

²¹ Give no heed to all the words which are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee!

²² For many times thine own heart knoweth also that even thou thyself hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I tried by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Do not be self-righteous, wise in your own eyes. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Do not be too wicked or foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this wisdom, and that you should not let go of righteousness. For the person who fears God will meet all his obligations.

¹⁹ Wisdom is powerful in the wise man, more than ten rulers in a city.

²⁰ There is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

²¹ Do not listen to every word that is spoken, because you might hear your servant curse you.

²² Similarly, you know yourself that in your own heart you have often cursed others.

²³ All this have I proven by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was more than I could be.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.

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

²⁰ For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²² For often also thy own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

¹⁶ Do not thou be just or rightwise over much, neither understand thou more than is needful; lest thou be astonied.

¹⁷ Do thou not wickedly much, and do not thou be a fool; lest thou die in a time not thine.

¹⁸ It is good, that thou sustain a just or rightwise man; but also withdraw thou not thine hand from him; for he that dreadeth God, is not negligent of anything.

¹⁹ Wisdom hath strengthened a wise man, over ten princes of a city.

²⁰ Forsooth no just or rightwise man there is in the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ But also give thou not thine heart to all words, that be said; lest peradventure thou hear thy servant cursing thee;

²² for thy conscience knoweth, that also thou hast cursed oft other men.

²³ I assayed all things in wisdom; I said, I shall be made wise, and it went away further from me,

¹⁶ Do not thou be just over much, neither understand thou more than is needful; lest thou be astonied. (Do not thou be too good, nor understand thou more than is useful; lest thou be regarded with contempt, or with derision.)

¹⁷ Do thou not wickedly much, and do not thou be a fool; lest thou die in a time not thine. (Do not thou do many wicked things, and do not be a fool; lest thou die before thy time.)

¹⁸ It is good, that thou sustain a just man; but also withdraw thou not thine hand from him; for he that dreadeth God, is not negligent of anything. (It is good that thou sustain the one, but also do not thou withdraw thy hand from the other; for he who feareth God, is not negligent of anything.)

¹⁹ Wisdom hath strengthened a wise man, over ten princes of a city. (Wisdom can strengthen the wise, more than ten leaders of a city.)

²⁰ Forsooth no just man there is in the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (But there is no righteous person in the earth who only, or who always, doeth good, and never sinneth.)

²¹ But also give thou not thine heart to all (the) words, that be said; lest peradventure thou hear thy servant cursing thee;

²² for thy conscience knoweth, that also thou hast cursed oft other men. (for thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often cursed other people.)

²³ I assayed all things in wisdom; I said, I shall be made wise, and it went away further from me (or but it went farther away from me),

¹⁶ Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?

¹⁷ Do not much wrong, neither be thou a fool, why dost thou die within thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou dost lay hold on this, and also, from that withdrawest not thy hand, for whoso is fearing God goeth out with them all.

¹⁹ The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.

²⁰ Because there is not a righteous man on earth that doth good and sinneth not.

²¹ Also to all the words that they speak give not thy heart, that thou hear not thy servant reviling thee.

²² For many times also hath thy heart known that thou thyself also hast reviled others.

²³ All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.