Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Therefore be thou neither too righteous nor over wise, that thou perish not:
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.
International Standard Version
Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise. Why be self-destructive?
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?
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 These two things also have I considered in the time of vanity: that the just man perisheth for his righteousness' sake, and the ungodly liveth in his wickedness. 16 Therefore be thou neither too righteous nor over wise, that thou perish not: 17 be neither too unrighteous also nor too foolish, lest thou die before thy time.
Cross References
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace that unto me is given, to every man among you: that no man esteem of himself more than it becometh him to esteem - But that he discreetly judge of himself according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Proverbs 25:16
If thou findest honey, eat so much as is sufficient for thee; lest thou be overfull, and parbreak it out again.
Philippians 3:6
and as concerning ferventness I persecuted the congregation, and as touching the righteousness which is in the law, I was unrebukable.
Genesis 3:6
And the woman saw that it was a good tree to eat of, and lusty unto the eyes, and a pleasant tree for to make wise. And took of the fruit of it and ate, and gave unto her husband also with her, and he ate.
Job 11:12
A vain body exalteth himself, and man, newborn, is like a wild ass's colt.
Job 28:28
And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
Proverbs 23:4
Take not over great travail and labour to be rich, beware of such a purpose.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
Therefore beware, my son, that above these thou make them not many and innumerable books, nor take divers doctrines in hand, to weary thy body withal.
Matthew 6:1-7
Take heed to your alms, that ye give it not in the sight of men, to the intent that ye would be seen of them: or else ye get no reward of your father which is in heaven.
Matthew 9:14
Then came the disciples of John to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?"
Matthew 15:2-9
"Why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the elders? For they wash not their hands, when they eat bread."
Matthew 23:5
All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments,
Matthew 23:23-24
Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
Matthew 23:29
Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous
Matthew 23:38
Behold, Your habitation shall be left unto you desolate.
Luke 18:12
I fast twice in the week. I give tithe of all that I possess.'
Romans 10:2
For I bear them record, that they have a fervent mind to Godward, but not according to knowledge.
Romans 11:25
I would not that this secret should be hid from you my brethren, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits: that partly blindness is happened in Israel, until the fullness of the gentiles be come in.
1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man seem wise among you, let him be a fool in this world, that he may be wise.
1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, "God knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they be vain."
Colossians 2:18
Let no man make you shoot at a wrong mark, which after his own imagination walketh in the humbleness and holiness of angels, things which he never saw: causeless, puffed up with his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:23
which things have the similitude of wisdom in chosen holiness, and humbleness, and in that they spare not the body - and do the flesh no worship unto his need.
1 Timothy 4:3
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with giving thanks, of them which believe, and know the truth.
James 3:13-17
If any man be wise and endued with learning among you, let him show the works of his good conversation in meekness that is coupled with wisdom.
Revelation 18:19
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping, and wailing, and said, 'Alas, Alas, that great city wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea, by the reason of her costliness, for at one hour is she made desolate.'