16. Do not be excessively righteous,and do not be extremely wise;why should you destroy yourself?
17. Do not be overly wicked,and do not be a fool;why should you die before your time?
18. It is good that you should take hold of this,and from the other not withhold your hand;for he who fears God will come out from them all.
19. Wisdom strengthens the wise manmore than ten rulers who are in the city.
20. For there is not a righteous man on earthwho only does good and refrains from sin.
21. Do not give heed to everything people say,lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22. Your heart knowsthat many times you have spoken a curse against others.
23. All this I have tested by wisdom. I said,“I will be wise,”but it was far from me.
24. That which is, is far off,and exceedingly deep.Who can find it out?
25. And I turned my heart to know,and seek and search out wisdom in how things areand to experience wicked folly,even foolishness and madness.
26. I find more bitter than deaththe woman whose heart is snaresand nets,and whose hands are fetters.He who pleases God escapes her,but the sinner is taken by her.
27. “See, this is what I found,” says the Preacher, “adding one thing to another to find the sum,