Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun.

12Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it.

13Consider what God has done! Who can straighten what God has bent?

14When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one time as well as the other so that mortals cannot predict their future.

15I have seen it all in my pointless life: Righteous people die in spite of being righteous. Wicked people go on living in spite of being wicked.

16Don’t be too virtuous, and don’t be too wise. Why make yourself miserable?

17Don’t be too wicked, and don’t be a fool. Why should you die before your time is up?

18It’s good to hold on to the one and not let go of the other, because the one who fears God will be able to avoid both extremes.

19Wisdom will help a wise person more than ten rulers can help a city.

20Certainly, there is no one so righteous on earth that he always does what is good and never sins.

21Don’t take everything that people say to heart, or you may hear your own servant cursing you.

22Your conscience knows that you have cursed others many times.