Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
Christian Standard Bible
2 Keep[a] the king’s command because of your oath made before God.(A) 3 Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence,(B) and don’t persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants. 4 For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” (C) 5 The one who keeps a command will not experience anything harmful,(D) and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. 6 For every activity there is a right time and procedure,(E) even though a person’s troubles are heavy on him.
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- 8:2 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg, Tg, Syr; other Hb mss read As for me, keep
Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
Common English Bible
Watch out for power
2 Keep[a] the king’s command
as you would keep a solemn pledge.
3 Don’t be dismayed; leave his presence.
Don’t linger in a harmful situation
because he can do whatever he wants!
4 Because the king’s word has authority,
no one can say to him, “What are you doing?”
5 Whoever keeps a command will meet no harm, and the wise heart knows the right time and the right way 6 because there’s a right time and right way for every matter. But human misfortunes are overwhelming
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- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Correction; Heb I (say?) keep
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