English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
14
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
15 In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.
15
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
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Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself?
17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
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Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?
18 It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
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It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
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Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
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Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
21 Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
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Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
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for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me.
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All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”— but this was beyond me.
24 That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?
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Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.