7:16 So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise;
otherwise you might be disappointed.
7:17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool;
otherwise you might die before your time.
7:18 It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning;
for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.
7:19 Wisdom gives a wise person more protection
than ten rulers in a city.
7:20 For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth
who continually does good and never sins.
7:21 Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say;
otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.
7:22 For you know in your own heart
that you also have cursed others many times.
7:23 I have examined all this by wisdom;
I said, “I am determined to comprehend this” – but it was beyond my grasp.
7:24 Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding;
it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.
7:25 I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend
the role of wisdom in the scheme of things,
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly.