16. These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.
17. Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.
18. Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.
19. It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.
20. Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.
21. For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.
22. But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.
23. For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.
24. I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,
25. Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?
26. I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:
27. And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter's snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.