Ecclesiastes 7:16
“Be not righteous ouer much, neither make thy selfe ouer wise: why shouldest thou destroy thy selfe?”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
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Ecclesiastes 7:16 Context
14In the day of prosperitie be ioyfull, but in the day of aduersitie consider: God also hath set the one ouer against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 15All things haue I seene in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnes, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednes. 16Be not righteous ouer much, neither make thy selfe ouer wise: why shouldest thou destroy thy selfe? 17Be not ouermuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18It is good that thou shouldest take holde of this, yea also from this withdraw not thine hand: for hee that feareth God, shall come foorth of them all.
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Other Translations for Ecclesiastes 7:16
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
- King James Version
Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
- American Standard Version (1901)
Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?
- Basic English Bible
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
- Darby Bible
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
- Webster's Bible
Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
- World English Bible
Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?
- Youngs Literal Bible
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 7:16
7:16 Be not - This verse and the next have a manifest reference to ver.#15|, being two inferences drawn from the two clauses of the observation. Solomon here speaks in the person of an ungodly man, who takes occasion to dissuade men from righteousness, because of the danger which attends it. Therefore, saith he, take heed of strictness, zeal, and forwardness in religion. And the next verse contains an antidote to this suggestion; yea, rather saith he, be not wicked or foolish overmuch; for that will not preserve thee, as thou mayest imagine, but will occasion and hasten thy ruin.