12 For chochmah is a protective tzel (shade), and kesef is as well; but the advantage of da'as is, that chochmah giveth chayyim (life) to them that possess it.
13 Consider the ma'aseh HaElohim; for who can make straight what Hashem hath made crooked?
14 In the yom tovah be joyful, but in the yom ra'ah consider: HaElohim also hath set the one over against the other in such a way that adam may not find out anything that will come after him.
15 All things have I seen in the yamim of my hevel; there is a tzaddik that perisheth in his tzedakah, and there is a rasha that prolongeth his life in his ra'ah.
16 Do not be over much the tzaddik nor over much the chacham; why cause thyself desolation?
17 Be not over much resha, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou holdest fast to the one and withdrawest not thine hand from the other; for he is a yire Elohim (G-d fearer) who shall fulfill both.