Ecclesiastes 7:29–8:9

²⁹See, this alone I found, that God made human beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes.^*

Obey the King and Enjoy Yourself

⁸Who is like the wise man?

And who knows the interpretation of a thing?

Being wise makes one’s face shine,

but arrogance changes one’s face.^*

²Keepⁿ the king’s command, and because of your sacred oath^{* 3}do not be terrified; go from his presence; do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. ⁴For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”^{* 5}Whoever obeys a command will meet no harm, and the wise mind will know the time and way. ⁶For every matter has its time and way, although the troubles of mortals lie heavy upon them.^{* 7}Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be?^{* 8}No one has power over the wind^o to restrain the wind^p or power over the day of death; there is no discharge from the battle, nor does wickedness deliver those who practice it.^{* 9}All this I observed, applying my mind to all that is done under the sun, while one person exercises authority over another to the other’s hurt.^*