^{15 Ref} All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth `his life' in his evil-doing.

^{16 Ref} Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

^{17 Ref} Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

^{18 Ref} It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.

^{19 Ref} Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

^{20 Ref} Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

^{21 Ref} Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

^{22 Ref} for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

^{23 Ref} All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

^{24 Ref} That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

^{25 Ref} I turned about, and my heart `was set' to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason `of things', and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.

^{26 Ref} And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, `and' whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

^{27 Ref} Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, `laying' one thing to another, to find out the account;

^{28 Ref} which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

^{29 Ref} Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.