16 Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.
Ecclesiastes 7:16–18
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 3:6–8
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 23:3–5
3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. 5 When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
Job 36:20–22
20 Do not long for the night, when people vanish from their homes. 21 Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction. 22 Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?
Wisdom of Solomon 1:11–13
11 Beware then of unprofitable murmuring, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret utterance will go on its way void, and a lying mouth destroys a soul. (WEB) 12 Don’t court death in the error of your life. Don’t draw destruction upon yourselves by the works o… (WEB)
Sirach 10:25–27
25 Free men will minister to a wise servant. A man who has knowledge will not complain. (WEB) 26 Don’t flaunt your wisdom in doing your work. Don’t boast in the time of your distress. (WEB) 27 Better is he who labors and abounds in all things, than he who boasts and lacks bread. (WEB)
Sirach 5:4–6
4 Don’t say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is patient. (WEB) 5 Don’t be so confident of atonement that you add sin upon sins. (WEB) 6 Don’t say, “His compassion is great. He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins,” for mercy and wrath are with him, and… (WEB)
Proverbs 9:5–7
5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” 7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Ecclesiastes 8:2–4
2 Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God. 3 Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
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