15 In my meaningless life here's what I've seen. I've seen a godly man dying even though he is godly. And I've seen a sinful man living a long time even though he is sinful.
16 Don't claim to be better than you are. And don't claim to be wiser than you are. Why destroy yourself?
17 Don't be too sinful. And don't be foolish. Why die before your time comes?
18 It's good to hold on to both of those things. Don't let go of either one. A man who has respect for God will avoid going too far in either direction.
19 Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20 There isn't anyone on earth who does only what is right and never sins.
21 Don't pay attention to everything people say. If you do, you might hear your servant calling down a curse on you.