Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

Christian Standard Bible

Avoiding Extremes

¹⁵ In my futile life^[a] I have seen everything:^(A) someone righteous perishes in spite of his righteousness,^(B) and someone wicked lives long in spite of his evil.^{(C) 16} Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise.^(D) Why should you destroy yourself? ¹⁷ Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?^{(E) 18} It 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.

²¹ Don’t pay attention^[b] to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,^{(H) 22} for in your heart you know that many times you yourself have cursed others.