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Ecclesiastes 7:15-27
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 7:15-27
New International Version
15 In this meaningless life(A) of mine I have seen both of these:
the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.(B)
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?(C)
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God(D) will avoid all extremes.[a]
20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,(G)
no one who does what is right and never sins.(H)
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you(I) may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23 All this I tested by wisdom and I said,
“I am determined to be wise”(J)—
but this was beyond me.
24 Whatever exists is far off and most profound—
who can discover it?(K)
25 So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things(L)
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly.(M)
26 I find more bitter than death
the woman who is a snare,(N)
whose heart is a trap
and whose hands are chains.
The man who pleases God will escape her,
but the sinner she will ensnare.(O)
27 “Look,” says the Teacher,[b](P) “this is what I have discovered:
“Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things—
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:18 Or will follow them both
- Ecclesiastes 7:27 Or the leader of the assembly
Ecclesiastes 7:15-27
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 7:15-27
King James Version
15 All 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.
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.
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
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