Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?

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. Why should you destroy yourself?

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?

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?

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
Be not righteous
צדּיק 
Tsaddiyq 
Usage: 206

יותר 
Yowther 
Usage: 8

חכם 
Chakam 
Usage: 27

Verse Info

Context Readings

The Law Of Retribution Does Not Always Work'But It Does Sometimes

15 I have seen all things in the days of my vanity. There is a just man who perished in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolonged his life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17 Do not be wicked over much and do not be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

Cross References

Romans 12:3

I say through the grace given to me that every man among you should not think more highly of himself than he ought to think. But to think soberly, just as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Proverbs 25:16

Have you found honey? Eat only what is needed or you will be too full and vomit.

Philippians 3:6

as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

Genesis 3:6

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Job 11:12

An empty headed man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.

Job 28:28

To man he said: 'Respect for Jehovah is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.'

Proverbs 23:4

Do not exhaust yourself to get rich. Be wise and show restraint.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

By these, my son, be admonished! There is no end to publishing many books. Also much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Matthew 6:1-7

Be careful! Do not display your righteousness (good works) before men to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward with your heavenly Father.

Matthew 9:14

The disciples of John asked: Why do your disciples not fast? They frequently fasted, and so did the Pharisees.

Matthew 15:2-9

They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands.

Matthew 23:5

They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments.

Matthew 23:23-24

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone.

Matthew 23:29

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous.

Matthew 23:38

Behold, your house is left desolate.

Luke 18:12

I fast twice per week. I give tithes of all that I get.

Romans 10:2

I testify that they have zeal for God, but not according to [precise and correct] knowledge.

Romans 11:25

I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits (estimation). Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in.

1 Corinthians 3:18

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1 Corinthians 3:20

And again: Jehovah knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (useless) (empty). (Psalm 94:11)

Colossians 2:18

Let no man rob you of your prize by a self-abasement and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things that he has seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Colossians 2:23

These have, indeed, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body. But these are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

1 Timothy 4:3

They will forbid marrying, [and command] to abstain from food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

James 3:13-17

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his works are from meekness because of wisdom.

Revelation 18:19

They threw dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying: 'Woe, woe to the great city. All that had ships in the sea became rich by her wealth. In one hour she was made desolate.'

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain