Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise. Why be self-destructive?
New American Standard Bible
Do not be excessively
King James Version
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Holman Bible
Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise.
A Conservative Version
Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise. Why should thou destroy thyself?
American Standard Version
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Amplified
Do not be excessively righteous [like those given to self-conceit], and do not be overly wise (pretentious)—why should you bring yourself to ruin?
Bible in Basic English
Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?
Darby Translation
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Julia Smith Translation
Thou shalt not be greatly just; and thou shalt not be exceedingly wise: wherefore wilt thou be made desolate?
King James 2000
Be not overly righteous; neither make yourself overly wise: why should you destroy yourself?
Lexham Expanded Bible
Do not be excessively righteous, and do not act excessively wise, lest you destroy yourself.
Modern King James verseion
Do not be righteous overmuch, neither make yourself overwise; why destroy yourself?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Therefore be thou neither too righteous nor over wise, that thou perish not:
NET Bible
So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise; otherwise you might be disappointed.
New Heart English Bible
Do not be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
The Emphasized Bible
Do not become so very righteous, neither count thyself wise beyond measure, - wherefore shouldst thou destroy thyself?
Webster
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
World English Bible
Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Youngs Literal Translation
Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?
Topics
Interlinear
Rabah
Shamem
References
Fausets
Morish
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 7:16
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Law Of Retribution Does Not Always Work'But It Does Sometimes
15 I have seen it all during my pointless life: both a righteous person who dies while he is righteous, and a wicked person who lives to an old age, while remaining wicked. 16 Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise. Why be self-destructive? 17 Do not excel at wickedness, nor be a fool. Why die before your time?
Cross References
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you.
Proverbs 25:16
If you find some honey, eat only what you need. Take too much, and you'll vomit.
Philippians 3:6
As for my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church. As far as righteousness in the Law is concerned, I was blameless.
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree produced good food, was attractive in appearance, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate some, too.
Job 11:12
An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!"
Job 28:28
He has commanded mankind: "To fear the Lord that is wisdom; to move away from evil that is understanding.'"
Proverbs 23:4
Don't exhaust yourself acquiring wealth; be smart enough to stop.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.
Matthew 6:1-7
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 9:14
Then John's disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?"
Matthew 15:2-9
"Why do your disciples disregard the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands when they eat."
Matthew 23:5
"They do everything to be seen by people. They increase the size of their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
Matthew 23:23-24
"How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your mint, dill, and cummin, but have neglected the more important matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others.
Matthew 23:29
"How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous.
Matthew 23:38
Look! Your house is left abandoned!
Luke 18:12
I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of my entire income.'
Romans 10:2
For I can testify on their behalf that they have a zeal for God, but it is not in keeping with full knowledge.
Romans 11:25
For I want to let you know about this secret, brothers, so that you will not claim to be wiser than you are: Stubbornness has come to part of Israel until the full number of the gentiles comes to faith.
1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in the ways of this world, he must become a fool to become really wise.
1 Corinthians 3:20
and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless."
Colossians 2:18
Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels cheat you out of the prize by rejoicing about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up for no reason by his carnal mind.
Colossians 2:23
These things have the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion, humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they have no value against self-indulgence.
1 Timothy 4:3
They will try to stop people from marrying and from eating certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
James 3:13-17
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his noble conduct that his actions are done humbly and wisely.
Revelation 18:19
Then they threw dust on their heads and shouted while crying and mourning: "How terrible, how terrible it is for the great city, where all who had ships at sea became rich from her wealth, because it has been destroyed in a single hour!