Ecclesiastes 7:15-19

The Contrast of Wisdom and Folly

15 In my a vain life I have seen everything. There is b a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who c prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not d make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. e Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of f this, and from g that h withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.

19 i Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

  1. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 6:12
    For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
    Ecclesiastes 9:9
    Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
  2. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 8:14
    There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
  3. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 8:12 - 13
    Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 12:3
    For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:27
    The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
    Job 22:16
    They were snatched away before their time; their foundation was washed away.
  6. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 7:17
    Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
  7. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 7:16
    Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
  8. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 11:6
    In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
  9. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 9:16
    But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
    Ecclesiastes 9:18
    Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
    Proverbs 21:22
    A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
    Proverbs 24:5
    A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.