Ecclesiastes 7:16 “Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why sho…”

Ecclesiastes 7:16

Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction consider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man shoulde finde nothing after him.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

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

Bible in Basic English

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

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Cross references

“Be not”

Proverbs 25:16 Matthew 6:1–7 Luke 18:12 Matthew 9:14 Matthew 15:2–9 Matthew 23:5

Proverbs 25:16 · BSB

If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

Matthew 6:1–7 · BSB

“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Luke 18:12 · BSB

I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’

Matthew 9:14 · BSB

Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

Matthew 15:2–9 · BSB

“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

Matthew 23:5 · BSB

All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

“neither”

Romans 12:3 Colossians 2:18 1 Corinthians 3:18 James 3:13–17 Ecclesiastes 12:12 Genesis 3:6

Romans 12:3 · BSB

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Colossians 2:18 · BSB

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.

1 Corinthians 3:18 · BSB

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

James 3:13–17 · BSB

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 · BSB

And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.

Genesis 3:6 · BSB

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate i…

“destroy thyself”

Matthew 23:38 Revelation 18:19

Matthew 23:38 · BSB

Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Revelation 18:19 · BSB

Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

17Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

Read Ecclesiastes 7