Ecclesiastes 7:16

Be not righteous over much; neither show thyself over wise: why wouldst thou destroy thyself?

Leeser Tanakh

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 many a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is many a wicked man that liveth long in his wickedness.—

17Be not wicked over much, and be no fool: why wouldst thou die before thy time?

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Cross References

Job 11:12And the heartless who acquireth intelligence, and him who is [like] the colt of the wild ass who is transformed into a man.

Proverbs 23:4Fatigue thyself not to become rich; because thou hast understanding, forbear.

Ecclesiastes 12:12But more than all these, my son, take warning for thyself: the making of many books would have no end; and much preaching 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