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I say, “Keep the [a]command of the king because of the (A)sworn oath [b]before God. Do not be in a hurry (B)to go from his presence. Do not stand in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” Since the word of the king is powerful, (C)who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

He who (D)keeps a royal command (E)experiences no evil thing, for a wise heart knows the proper time and custom. For (F)there is a proper time and custom for every [c]matter, though a man’s trouble is multiplied upon him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Lit mouth
  2. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Lit of
  3. Ecclesiastes 8:6 Lit delight

Obey the King

Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 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. Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?(B)

Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
    and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
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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