¹⁶ Be not overly righteous, and do not ^(A)make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? ¹⁷ Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. ^(B)Why should you die before your time? ¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of ^(C)this, and from ^(D)that ^(E)withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.

^19 (F)Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely ^(G)there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.