Ecclesiastes 7:16
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ?
American King James Version (AKJV)
Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ?
American Standard Version (ASV)
Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?
Webster's Revision
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
World English Bible
Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
English Revised Version (ERV)
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 7:16 Bible Commentary
Why shouldest thou destroy thyself? - תשומם tishshomem, make thyself desolate, so that thou shalt be obliged to stand alone; neither make thyself over-wise, תתחכם tithchaccam, do not pretend to abundance of wisdom. Why shouldest thou be so singular? In other words, and in modern language, "There is no need of all this watching, fasting, praying, self-denial, etc., you carry things to extremes. Why should you wish to be reputed singular and precise?" To this the man of God answers:
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 7:16 Bible Commentary
Destroy thyself - The Septuagint and Vulgate render it: "be amazed." Compare "marvel not" Ecclesiastes 5:8.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 7:16 Bible Commentary
7:16 Be not - This verse and the next have a manifest reference to ver. 15 , being two inferences drawn from the two clauses of the observation. Solomon here speaks in the person of an ungodly man, who takes occasion to dissuade men from righteousness, because of the danger which attends it. Therefore, saith he, take heed of strictness, zeal, and forwardness in religion. And the next verse contains an antidote to this suggestion; yea, rather saith he, be not wicked or foolish overmuch; for that will not preserve thee, as thou mayest imagine, but will occasion and hasten thy ruin.