Ecclesiastes 7:16
Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Note destroy…: Heb. be desolate?
Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Read Ecclesiastes 7 in context
Related passages
From the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, grouped by the word they explain.
- Be not
- This verse is probably the language of an ungodly man; to which Solomon answers, as in the following verse, "Do not multiply wickedness; do not add direct opposition to godliness, to the rest of your crimes. Why should you provoke God to destroy you before your time?"
- Proverbs 25:16; Matthew 6:1–7; Matthew 9:14; Matthew 15:2–9; Matthew 23:5, 23, 24, 29; Luke 18:12; Romans 10:2; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 4:3
- neither
- Ecclesiastes 12:12; Genesis 3:6; Job 11:12; Job 28:28; Proverbs 23:4; Romans 11:25; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:18, 20; Colossians 2:18, 23; James 3:13–17
- destroy thyself
- Heb. be desolate.
- Matthew 23:38; Revelation 18:19