Ecclesiastes 7:17 asv — Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

American Standard Version

"Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? "

— Ecclesiastes 7:17, American Standard Version

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Ecclesiastes 7:17 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

14

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him.

15

All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.

16

Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

17

Be not overmuch 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 that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.

19

Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

20

Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Ecclesiastes 7:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:17 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 in the American Standard Version reads: “Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:17 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 17.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 7:17.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:17 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 7:17?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 reads (ASV): “Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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