15. All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.
16. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17. Be not over much 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 thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19. Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.
20. Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21. Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22. for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23. All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24. That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
25. I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness:
26. And I find a thing more bitter than death, even the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27. Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher; laying one thing to another, to find out the account:
28. which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29. Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.