Ecclesiastes 7:16

Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

JPS TaNaKH 1917

In The King James Version

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

In Context

15All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.

17Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Cross References

Job 11:12But an empty man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.

Proverbs 23:4Weary not thyself to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 12:12And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 7:12-23

The Advantages of Wisdom. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 7:16