12. For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.
13. Consider the work of God for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?
14. In the day of prosperity enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing of what shall be after him.
15. All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth by his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his days by his wickedness.
16. Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17. Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18. It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God cometh forth from them all.
19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men that are in a city.
20. Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.
21. Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.
22. For also thine own heart knoweth that oftentimes thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23. All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24. Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?
25. I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;