17. Be not overly wicked, neither be foolish: why should you die before your time?
18. It is good that you should take hold of this; yea, also from this withhold not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all.
19. Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.
20. For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not.
21. Also take not to heart all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you:
22. For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others.
23. All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24. That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
25. I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
26. And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands are fetters: whosoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27. Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, adding one thing to another, to find out the reason:
28. Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29. Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.