Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Riddles of Life
15 In my vain life I have seen everything; there are righteous people who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked people who prolong their life in their evildoing.(A) 16 Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself?(B) 17 Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of the one without letting go of the other, for the one who fears God shall succeed with both.
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Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Avoiding Extremes
15 In my futile life[a] I have seen everything:(A) there is a righteous man who perishes in spite of his righteousness,(B) and there is a wicked man who 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.
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- Ecclesiastes 7:15 Lit days
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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