NET Bible
"Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time."
— Ecclesiastes 7:17, NET Bible
“Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?”
“Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? ”
“Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?”
“Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.”
“Be not evil overmuch, and be not foolish. Why come to your end before your time?”
“Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?”
In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.
Exceptions to the Law of Retribution During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.
So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise; otherwise you might be disappointed.
Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time.
It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.
Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.
For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.