Ecclesiastes 7:17

Modern

Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

Traditional

Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Literal

Do not be overly wicked, and do not be a fool—why should you die in what is not your time?

Latin

Ne impie agas multum, et noli esse stultus, ne moriaris in tempore non tuo.

Hebrew

English

Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

Do not be excessively wicked: Foolish wickedness can lead to an early death (for example, 1 Samuel 25).

God's control over everything is serious, but it gives us hope.

Theme notes and profiles

Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.
Job 22:16
They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood.
Psalm 55:23
But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
Acts 12:23
Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Acts 5:10
At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Acts 5:5
On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.
Job 15:32–33
It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish.
Genesis 38:7–10
But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death.
1 Samuel 25:38
About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.
James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
Jeremiah 2:33–34
How skillfully you pursue love! Even the most immoral of women could learn from your ways.
Ezekiel 16:20
You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough?