King James Version KJV
New International Version NIV
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
17
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of 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 strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
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Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
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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 take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
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Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
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for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23 All this have I proved 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 far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
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Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
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So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.
26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
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I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
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“Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered: “Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things—
The King James Version is in the public domain.
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.