Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
English Standard Version
2 I say:[a] Keep the king's command, because of (A)God's oath to him.[b] 3 Be not hasty to (B)go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and (C)who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.[c] 6 For there is a time and a way (D)for everything, although man's trouble[d] lies heavy on him.
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- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Hebrew lacks say
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Or because of your oath to God
- Ecclesiastes 8:5 Or and judgment
- Ecclesiastes 8:6 Or evil
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
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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