15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity:

(A)There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,
And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.

16 (B)Do not be overly righteous,
(C)Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
(D)Why should you die before your time?
18 It is good that you grasp this,
And also not remove your hand from the other;
For he who (E)fears God will [a]escape them all.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:18 Lit. come forth from all of them

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]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:18 Or will follow them both

15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

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