The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
12 For wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps the one who has it alive.
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?
13
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14 When things are going well, enjoy yourself; but when things are going badly, consider that God made the one alongside the other, so that people would learn nothing of their futures.
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 pointless life, I've seen everything -from the righteous person perishing in his uprightness to the wicked one who lives a long life and keeps on doing wrong.
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 So don't be overly righteous or overly wise; why should you disappoint yourself?
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Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself?
17 But don't be overly wicked, and don't be foolish; 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 Don't grasp just one of these rules; take hold of the other as well; for he who is in fear of God will live by 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 To a wise man wisdom is better protection than ten rulers in a city.
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Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20 For there isn't a righteous person on earth who does [only] 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 Also, don't take seriously every word spoken, such as when you hear your servant speaking badly of you;
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Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 because often, as you yourself know, you have spoken badly of others.
22
for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.