Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
New American Standard Bible
2 I say, “Keep the [a]command of the king because of the (A)oath [b]before God. 3 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.” 4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, (C)who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
5 One who (D)keeps a royal command (E)experiences no [d]trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. 6 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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- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Lit mouth
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Lit of
- Ecclesiastes 8:3 Lit to go out from his presence
- Ecclesiastes 8:5 Lit evil thing
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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