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Keep the command of the king[a]
    because of your oath to God.[b]
Do not be terrified of his presence!
    Go at once and do not delay when a matter is unpleasant,
for he can do anything that he desires.
Since the word of the king is supreme,
    no one can say to him, “What are you doing?”
Whoever obeys his command will not suffer disaster.
    The wise mind knows the proper time and the right procedure.
For there is a proper time and right procedure for every matter,
    even though the trouble of man weighs heavy upon him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:2 While MT reads “I said, ‘Keep the mouth of the king,’” the versions read “Keep the mouth of the king,” which is adopted in the translation
  2. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Literally “because of the oath of God”

Obedience to the King

Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it. Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.

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