Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
10 Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
10
Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
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Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
12
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
13 Consider the work of God; who can make straight what he has made crooked?
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Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
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 evil-doing.
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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 righteous overmuch, and do not make yourself overwise; why should you destroy yourself?
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Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself?
17 Be not wicked overmuch, 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 he who fears God shall come forth from them all.
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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 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 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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.