Human Government Demonstrates Limitations of Wisdom

8:1 Who is1 a2 wise person? Who knows the solution3 to a problem?4

A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance,5 and softens6 his harsh countenance.7

8:2 Obey the king’s command,8

because you took9 an oath before God10 to be loyal to him.11

8:3 Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste—do not delay when the matter is unpleasant,12

for he can do whatever he pleases.

8:4 Surely the king’s authority13 is absolute;14

no one can say15 to him, “What are you doing?”

8:5 Whoever obeys his16 command will not experience harm,

and a wise person17 knows the proper time18 and procedure.

8:6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,

for the oppression19 of the king20 is severe upon his victim.21

8:7 Surely no one knows the future,22

and no one can tell another person what will happen.23

8:8 Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it,24

so no one has power over the day of his25 death.

Just as no one can be discharged during the battle,26

so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked.27

8:9 While applying28 my mind29 to everything30 that happens in this world,31 I have seen all this:

Sometimes one person32 dominates33 other people34 to their harm.35