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Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
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]
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:18 Or will follow them both
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
Christian Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 7:15 Lit days
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.