Ecclesiastes 7:11-22 (New International Version)
View In My Bible
11
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing1 and benefits those who see the sun.2
12
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
13
Consider what God has done:3 Who can straighten what he has made crooked?4
14
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.5 Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.
15
In this meaningless life6 of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.7
16
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself ?
17
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time?8
18
It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God9 will avoid all [extremes].a
19
Wisdom10 makes one wise man more powerful11 than ten rulers in a city.
20
There is not a righteous man12 on earth who does what is right and never sins.13
21
Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you14 may hear your servant cursing you--
22
for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
Free Newsletters
To receive email newsletters, updates, and special offers from BibleStudyTools, select your newsletter(s), enter your email address and hit "Subscribe".
Privacy Policy / Terms of Use