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Ecclesiastes 8:2–5

2 I say, “Keep the 1command of the king because of the aoath 2before God.

3 “Do not be in a hurry 1ato 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, awho will say to him, “What are you doing?”

5 He who akeeps a royal command bexperiences no 1trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.

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Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — The New International Version (NIV)

Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,

and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — English Standard Version (ESV)

I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. Be not hasty to 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 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.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — New Living Translation (NLT)

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,

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”

Where the word of a king is, there is power;

And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”

He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful;

And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — New Century Version (NCV)

Obey the king’s command, because you made a promise to God. Don’t be too quick to leave the king. Don’t support something that is wrong, because the king does whatever he pleases. What the king says is law; no one tells him what to do.

Whoever obeys the king’s command will be safe.

A wise person does the right thing at the right time.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — American Standard Version (ASV)

I counsel thee, Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgment:

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

I say, Keep the king’s commandment, and that on account of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatever pleaseth him, because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart knoweth time and manner.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

I ⸤advise⸥ you to obey the king’s commands because of the oath you took in God’s presence. Don’t be in a hurry to leave the king’s service. Don’t take part in something evil, because he can do whatever he pleases. Since a king’s word has such power, no one can ask him what he is doing. Whoever obeys his commands will avoid trouble. The mind of a wise person will know the right time and the right way ⸤to act⸥.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Keep the king’s command because of your oath made before God. Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don’t persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants. For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” The one who keeps a command will not experience anything harmful, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Keep the king’s command because of your sacred oath. Do not be terrified; 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 powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” Whoever obeys a command will meet no harm, and the wise mind will know the time and way.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

Keep the command of the king

because of your oath to God.

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.

Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

I’m telling you to obey the king’s command. You took an oath to serve him. You made a promise to God. Don’t be in a hurry to quit your job in the palace. Don’t stand up for something the king doesn’t like. He’ll do anything he wants to. He has the final word. So who can ask him, “What are you doing?”

No one who obeys his command will be harmed.

Those who are wise will know the proper time and way to approach him.


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