Ecclesiastes 7:16

In 11 translations

BSB

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

KJV

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?destroy…: Heb. be desolate?

WEB

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

ASV

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

LSV

Do not be over-righteous, nor show yourself too wise, why are you desolate?

YLT

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

DBY

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

DRC7:17

Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

GNV7:18

Be not thou iust ouermuch, neither make thy selfe ouerwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate?

JPS

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

LXXE

Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Original-language editions

WLC

אַל־תְּהִ֤י צַדִּיק֙ הַרְבֵּ֔ה וְאַל־תִּתְחַכַּ֖ם יוֹתֵ֑ר לָ֖מָּה תִּשּׁוֹמֵֽם׃

LXX-Br

Μὴ γίνου δίκαιος πολὺ, μηδὲ σοφίζου περισσὰ, μή ποτε ἐκπλαγῇς.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Romans 12:3For 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.
• Proverbs 25:16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
• Colossians 2:18Do 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 3:18Let 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 3:13–17Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in…
• Matthew 6:1–7“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. So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the…
• Ecclesiastes 12:12And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
• Genesis 3:6When 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…
• Colossians 2:23Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
• Luke 18:12I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’
• 1 Corinthians 3:20And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
• Job 11:12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
• Proverbs 23:4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.
• Job 28:28And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
• Matthew 15:2–9“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your…
• Matthew 23:5All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).