15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. |
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? |
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy 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. |
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. |
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. |
21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: |
22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. |
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. |
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? |
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: |
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. |
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: |
28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. |
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. |
