New Revised Standard NRS
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 mortals may not find out anything that will come after them.
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 are righteous people who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked people who prolong their life in their 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 Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself?
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Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be too wicked, and do not 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 the one, without letting go of the other; for the one who fears God shall succeed with both.
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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 more than ten rulers that 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 no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning.
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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 give heed to everything that people say, or you may 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 have yourself 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 is, is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?
24
Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.