Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
Lexham English Bible
The Law of Retribution Does Not Always Work—but It Does Sometimes
15 I have seen all these things in my vain life:
Sometimes a righteous man perishes in spite of his righteousness,
and sometimes a wicked man lives a long life in spite of his evil.
16 Do not be excessively[a] righteous,
and do not act excessively wise, lest you destroy yourself.
17 Do not act excessively wicked,
and do not be a fool, lest you die before your time.
18 It is good to take hold of the one and also must not let go of the other;
for whoever fears God will hold both of them secure.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:16 Or “abundantly”
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.
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- 7:15 Lit days
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