¹⁷ All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
    and the wicked living long in their wickedness.^(B)
16 Do not be overrighteous,
    neither be overwise—
    why destroy yourself?
¹⁷ Do not be overwicked,
    and do not be a fool—
    why die before your time?^(C)
18 It is good to grasp the one
    and not let go of the other.
    Whoever fears God^(D) will avoid all extremes.^[a]

As it is with the good,
    so with the sinful;
as it is with those who take oaths,
    so with those who are afraid to take them.^(A)