Ecclesiastes 7:17-19

New International Reader's Version

¹⁷Don’t be too sinful.
    And don’t be foolish.
    Why die before your time comes?
¹⁸It’s good to hold on to both of those things.
    Don’t let go of either one.
Whoever has respect for God will avoid
    going too far in either direction.

¹⁹Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful
than ten rulers in a city.

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Ecclesiastes 7:17-19

New International Version

¹⁷Do not be overwicked,
    and do not be a fool—
    why die before your time?^(A)
¹⁸It is good to grasp the one
    and not let go of the other.
    Whoever fears God^(B) will avoid all extremes.^[a]