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.