I say:[a] Keep the king's command, because of (A)God's oath to him.[b] Be not hasty to (B)go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is supreme, and (C)who may say to him, “What are you doing?” Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.[c] For there is a time and a way (D)for everything, although man's trouble[d] lies heavy on him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Hebrew lacks say
  2. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Or because of your oath to God
  3. Ecclesiastes 8:5 Or and judgment
  4. Ecclesiastes 8:6 Or evil

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

One who (D)keeps a royal command (E)experiences no [d]trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. For (F)there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a person’s trouble is heavy upon him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Lit mouth
  2. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Lit of
  3. Ecclesiastes 8:3 Lit to go out from his presence
  4. Ecclesiastes 8:5 Lit evil thing