Font Size
Ecclesiastes 7:11-19
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 7:11-19
New International Version
11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing(A)
and benefits those who see the sun.(B)
12 Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.
13 Consider what God has done:(C)
Who can straighten
what he has made crooked?(D)
14 When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
as well as the other.(E)
Therefore, no one can discover
anything about their future.
15 In this meaningless life(F) of mine I have seen both of these:
the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.(G)
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?(H)
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God(I) will avoid all extremes.[a]
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:18 Or will follow them both
Ecclesiastes 7:11-19
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 7:11-19
King James Version
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
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 this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Read full chapter
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.