Ecclesiastes 8:2-8

Good News Translation

Obey the King

² Do what the king says,^[a] and don't make any rash promises to God. ³ The king can do anything he likes, so depart from his presence; don't stay in such a dangerous place. ⁴ The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does. ⁵ As long as you obey his commands, you are safe, and a wise person knows how and when to do it. ⁶ There is a right time and a right way to do everything, but we know so little! ⁷ None of us knows what is going to happen, and there is no one to tell us. ⁸ No one can keep from dying or put off the day of death. That is a battle we cannot escape; we cannot cheat our way out.