Parallel Verses
World English Bible
Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
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?
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?
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 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing. 16 Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
Cross References
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
Proverbs 25:16
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Philippians 3:6
concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.
Job 11:12
An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.
Job 28:28
To man he said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.'"
Proverbs 23:4
Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Matthew 6:1-7
"Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 9:14
Then John's disciples came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?"
Matthew 15:2-9
"Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."
Matthew 23:5
But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments,
Matthew 23:23-24
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
Matthew 23:29
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
Matthew 23:38
Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
Luke 18:12
I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
Romans 10:2
For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Romans 11:25
For I don't desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,
1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."
Colossians 2:18
Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:23
Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
1 Timothy 4:3
forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods 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 deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Revelation 18:19
They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!' For in one hour is she made desolate.