Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
International Standard Version
The Wisdom of Pleasing Leaders
2 I advise[a] doing what the king says, especially regarding an oath to God. 3 Don’t be in a hurry to leave him, and don’t persist in evil, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 Since a king’s command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, “What are you doing?”
5 Whoever obeys his commands will not experience harm, and the wise in heart will discern both the appropriate time and response.[b] 6 Indeed, there is an appropriate time and a response[c] for every circumstance, since human misery weighs heavily upon him.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 The Heb. lacks advise
- Ecclesiastes 8:5 Lit. judgment
- Ecclesiastes 8:6 Lit. judgment
Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
Lexham English Bible
2 Keep the command of the king[a]
because of your oath to God.[b]
3 Do not be terrified of his presence!
Go at once and do not delay when a matter is unpleasant,
for he can do anything that he desires.
4 Since the word of the king is supreme,
no one can say to him, “What are you doing?”
5 Whoever obeys his command will not suffer disaster.
The wise mind knows the proper time and the right procedure.
6 For there is a proper time and right procedure for every matter,
even though the trouble of man weighs heavy upon him.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 While MT reads “I said, ‘Keep the mouth of the king,’” the versions read “Keep the mouth of the king,” which is adopted in the translation
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Literally “because of the oath of God”
Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
New International Version
Obey the King
2 Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence.(A) Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?(B)”
5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,(C)
though a person may be weighed down by misery.
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