Ecclesiastes 7:16 Parallel Translations

NASB:

GWT:

Don't be too virtuous, and don't be too wise. Why make yourself miserable?(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

ASV:

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

BBE:

Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?

DBY:

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

ERV:

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

JPS:

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

WBS:

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?

WEB:

Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

YLT:

Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?

Ecclesiastes 7:16 Cross References

XREF:

Proverbs 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

Romans 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Philippians 3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

7:16 Be not righteous {m} over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
(m) Do not boast too much of your own justice and wisdom.

WES:

7:16 Be not - This verse and the next have a manifest reference to ver.15, being two inferences drawn from the two clauses of the observation. Solomon here speaks in the person of an ungodly man, who takes occasion to dissuade men from righteousness, because of the danger which attends it. Therefore, saith he, take heed of strictness, zeal, and forwardness in religion. And the next verse contains an antidote to this suggestion; yea, rather saith he, be not wicked or foolish overmuch; for that will not preserve thee, as thou mayest imagine, but will occasion and hasten thy ruin.

MHC:

7:11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no, not by a zeal for God. Be not conceited of thine own abilities; nor find fault with every thing, nor busy thyself in other men's matters. Many who will not be wrought upon by the fear of God, and the dread of hell, will avoid sins which ruin their health and estate, and expose to public justice. But those that truly fear God, have but one end to serve, therefore act steadily. If we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves. Every true believer is ready to say, God be merciful to me a sinner. Forget not at the same time, that personal righteousness, walking in newness of life, is the only real evidence of an interest by faith in the righteousness of the Redeemer. Wisdom teaches us not to be quick in resenting affronts. Be not desirous to know what people say; if they speak well of thee, it will feed thy pride, if ill, it will stir up thy passion. See that thou approve thyself to God and thine own conscience, and then heed not what men say of thee; it is easier to pass by twenty affronts than to avenge one. When any harm is done to us, examine whether we have not done as bad to others.

CONC:

Desolate Destroy Destruction Excessively Overly Overmuch Over-righteous Overwise Over-wise Righteous Righteousness Ruin Shouldest Shouldst Thyself Wise

Desolate Destroy Destruction Excessively Overmuch Righteous Righteousness Ruin Shouldest Shouldst Show Thyself Wise

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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