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

Keep[a] the king’s command, and because of your sacred oath be not dismayed; go from his presence, do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” He who obeys a command will meet no harm, and the mind of a wise man will know the time and way. For every matter has its time and way, although man’s trouble lies heavy upon him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Heb inserts an I