14 On the day of prosperity be happy,
But on the day of adversity consider:
God has made the one as well as the other
So that a person will not discover anything that will come after him.
15 I have seen everything during my [a]lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die [b]before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp one thing while not [c]letting go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with [d]both of them.
19 Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20 Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin. 21 Also, do not [e]take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you, 22 for [f]you know that even you have cursed others many times as well.