Ecclesiastes 7:15-23
English Standard Version
15 In my (A)vain[a] life I have seen everything. There is (B)a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who (C)prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not (D)make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. (E)Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of (F)this, and from (G)that (H)withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
19 (I)Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
20 Surely (J)there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
21 Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear (K)your servant cursing you. 22 Your heart knows that (L)many times you yourself have cursed others.
23 All this I have tested by wisdom. (M)I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:15 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.