Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 in English

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I counsel thee, Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgment:

⁶ for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:

⁷ for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.

¹ A man's wisdom will lighten his countenance; but a man of shameless countenance will be hated.

² Observe the commandment of the king, and that because of the word of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty; thou shalt go forth out of his presence: stand not in an evil matter; for he will do whatsoever he shall please,

⁴ even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What doest thou?

⁵ He that keeps the commandment shall not know an evil thing: and the heart of the wise knows the time of judgment.

⁶ For to every thing there is time and judgment; for the knowledge of a man is great to him.

⁷ For there is no one that knows what is going to be: for who shall tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; and there is no power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in the day of battle; neither shall ungodliness save her votary.

⁹ So I saw all this, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun; all the things wherein man has power over man to afflict him.

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

² I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

⁶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

² I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

⁶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

¹ Who knows the wise? and who knows the interpretation of a saying? A man's wisdom will lighten his countenance; but a man of shameless countenance will be hated.

² Observe the commandment of the king, and that because of the word of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty; you shall go forth out of his presence: stand not in an evil matter; for he will do whatever he shall please,

⁴ even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What do you?

⁵ He that keeps the commandment shall not know an evil thing: and the heart of the wise knows the time of judgment.

⁶ For to every thing there is time and judgment; for the knowledge of a man is great to him.

⁷ For there is no one that knows what is going to be: for who shall tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; and there is no power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in the day of the battle; neither shall ungodliness save her votary.

⁹ So I saw all this, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun; all the things wherein man has power over man to afflict him.

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I counsel thee, Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ Because the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgment:

⁶ for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:

⁷ for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.

¹ I will tell you about those who are truly wise RHQ with the result that they can explain why everything happens. Being wise enables people to be happy MTY and enables them to smile.

² You solemnly promised God that you would obey what the king commands, so do that.

³ Do not quickly disobey the king. And do not join those who want to rebel against him, because the king will do what he wants to do.

⁴ We need to obey what the king says more than we need to obey what anyone else says; no one can say to the king, “◄Why are you doing that?/You should not be doing that.► RHQ”

⁵ If you obey what the king commands, he will not harm you. So be wise, and know the correct/right time to do things and the right way to do them.

⁶ Although people experience many troubles/difficulties, there is a right/correct time to do things, and there is a right/correct way to do them.

⁷ No one knows what will happen in the future, so there is no one RHQ who can tell us what is going to happen.

⁸ We cannot control the wind, and we cannot control when we will die. Soldiers are not permitted to go home during a battle, and evil people will not be saved by doing what is evil.

⁹ I thought about all those things, and I thought about all HYP the other things that happen on this earth. I saw that sometimes people cause those whom they control to suffer.

¹ Who knows the wise? and who knows the interpretation of a saying? A man's wisdom will lighten his countenance; but a man of shameless countenance will be hated.

² Observe the commandment of the king, and that because of the word of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty; you shall go forth out of his presence: stand not in an evil matter; for he will do whatever he shall please,

⁴ even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What do you?

⁵ He that keeps the commandment shall not know an evil thing: and the heart of the wise knows the time of judgement.

⁶ For to every thing there is time and judgement; for the knowledge of a man is great to him.

⁷ For there is no one that knows what is going to be: for who shall tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; and there is no power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in the day of the battle; neither shall ungodliness save her votary.

⁹ So I saw all this, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun; all the things wherein man has power over man to afflict him.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practise it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? and to whom is the sense of anything clear? A man's wisdom makes his face shining, and his hard face will be changed.

² I say to you, Keep the king's law, from respect for the oath of God.

³ Be not quick to go from before him. Be not fixed in an evil design, because he does whatever is pleasing to him.

⁴ The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing?

⁵ Whoever keeps the law will come to no evil: and a wise man's heart has knowledge of time and of decision.

⁶ For every purpose there is a time and a decision, because the sorrow of man is great in him.

⁷ No one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?

⁸ No man has authority over the wind, to keep the wind; or is ruler over the day of his death. In war no man's time is free, and evil will not keep the sinner safe.

⁹ All this have I seen, and have given my heart to all the work which is done under the sun: there is a time when man has power over man for his destruction.

¹ Who is as the wise? and who knoweth the explanation of things? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.

² I say, Keep the king's commandment, and that on account of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatever pleaseth him,

⁴ because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart knoweth time and manner.

⁶ For to every purpose there is time and manner. For the misery of man is great upon him;

⁷ for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man who hath control over the spirit to retain the spirit; and no one hath control over the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war, neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time when man ruleth man to his hurt.

¹ The wisdom of a man shineth in his countenance, and the most mighty will change his face.

² I observe the mouth of the king, and the commandments of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to depart from his face, and do not continue in an evil work: for he will do all that pleaseth him:

⁴ And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so?

⁵ He that keepeth the commandments shall find no evil. The heart of a wise man understandeth time and answer.

⁶ There is a time and opportunity for every business, and great affliction for man:

⁷ Because he is ignorant of things past, and things to come he cannot know by any messenger.

⁸ It is not in man’s power to stop the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death, neither is he suffered to rest when war is at hand, neither shall wickedness save the wicked.

⁹ All these things I have considered, and applied my heart to all the works that are done under the sun. Sometimes one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

¹ Who can compare to the truly wise? Who knows how to interpret things? If you have wisdom your face lights up, and your stern look is softened.

² My advice is to do what the king says, since that's what you promised God.

³ Don't be quick to walk out on the king without thinking what you're doing, and don't get involved with those who plot against him, for the king can do what he pleases.

⁴ The king's orders have supreme authority—who is going to question him, saying, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Those who follow his commands will not be involved in doing evil. Wise people think, recognizing there's a right time, and a right way.

⁶ For there's a right time and a right way for everything, even when things are going badly for you.

⁷ No one knows what's going to happen, so who can say what the future holds?

⁸ No one can hold onto the breath of life; no one can prevent the day when they die. There's no way of escaping that battle, and the wicked won't be saved by their wickedness!

⁹ I examined all these things, and thought about all that happens here on earth, and the damage that's caused when people dominate others.

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? the wisedome of a man doth make his face to shine: and the strength of his face shalbe changed.

² I aduertise thee to take heede to ye mouth of the King, and to the worde of the othe of God.

³ Haste not to goe forth of his sight: stand not in an euill thing: for he will doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him.

⁴ Where the word of ye King is, there is power, and who shall say vnto him, What doest thou?

⁵ He that keepeth the commandement, shall knowe none euill thing, and the heart of the wise shall knowe the time and iudgement.

⁶ For to euery purpose there is a time and iudgement, because the miserie of man is great vpon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shalbe: for who can tell him when it shalbe?

⁸ Man is not lorde ouer the spirit to retaine the spirite: neither hath hee power in the day of death, nor deliuerance in the battell, neither shall wickednesse deliuer the possessers thereof.

⁹ All this haue I seene, and haue giuen mine heart to euery worke, which is wrought vnder the sunne, and I sawe a time that man ruleth ouer man to his owne hurt.

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.

² I counsel thee: keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his presence; stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?'

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment.

⁶ For to every matter there is a time and judgment; for the evil of man is great upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shall be; for even when it cometh to pass, who shall declare it unto him?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the wind to retain the wind; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, even applied my heart thereto, whatever the work that is done under the sun; what time one man had power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

² I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

⁶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise? and who knoweth as well the explanation of a thing? a man's wisdom enlighteneth his face, and the boldness of his face will be lessened.

² I counsel thee, Keep the king's command, and that which regardeth the oath to him taken by God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his presence; engage not in an evil thing; for whatsoever pleaseth him, can he do;

⁴ Because the word of a king is powerful; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?—

⁵ Whoso keepeth the commandment will experience no evil thing: and a wise man's heart knoweth both time and the just consequence.

⁶ Because for every pursuit there is a time and a just consequence; for the evil of man resteth heavily upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ No man hath control over the spirit to detain the spirit; and there is no control over the day of death; and there is no representation in that war; and wickedness will not deliver those that practise it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and directed my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time when one man ruleth over another to his own injury.

¹ A man’s wisdom will lighten his countenance; But a man of shameless countenance will be hated.

² Observe the commandment of the king, And that because of the word of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty; thou shalt go forth out of his presence: Stand not in an evil matter; For he will do whatsoever he shall please,

⁴ Even as a king having power: And who will say to him, What doest thou?

⁵ He that keeps the commandment shall not know an evil thing: And the heart of the wise knows the time of judgment.

⁶ For to everything there is time and judgment; For the knowledge of a man is great to him.

⁷ For there is no one that knows what is going to be: For who shall tell him how it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that has power over the spirit To retain the spirit; And there is no power in the day of death: And there is no discharge in the day of battle; Neither shall ungodliness save her votary.

⁹ So I saw all this, And I applied my heart to every work That has been done under the sun; All the things wherein man has power Over man to afflict him.

¹ Who is like the wise man, and who knoweth the explanation of a thing? A man's wisdom brighteneth his countenance, and the harshness of his face is changed.

² I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that on account of the oath of God.

³ Be not in haste to depart from his presence; persist not in an evil thing; for whatever pleaseth him, that he doeth.

⁴ For the word of the king is powerful; and who can say to him, “What doest thou?”

⁵ He that keepeth the commandment shall experience no evil; and the heart of the wise man hath regard to time and judgment.

⁶ For to every thing there is a time and judgment. For the misery of man is great upon him.

⁷ For no one knoweth what shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

⁸ No man hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no man hath power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war; and wickedness shall not deliver those that are guilty of it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and I have given heed to all things that are done under the sun. There is a time when man ruleth over man to his hurt.

¹ Who is a wise man? Who knows what the events in life mean? Wisdom in a man causes his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I advise you to obey the king's command because of God's oath to protect him.

³ Do not hurry out of his presence, and do not stand in support of something wrong, for the king does whatever he desires.

⁴ The king's word rules, so who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the king's commands avoids harm. A wise man's heart recognizes the proper course and time of action.

⁶ For every matter there is a correct response and a time to respond, because the troubles of man are great.

⁷ No one knows what is coming next. Who can tell him what is coming?

⁸ No one is ruler over his breath so as to stop the breath, and no one has power over the day of his death. No one is discharged from the army during a battle, and wickedness will not rescue those who are its slaves.

⁹ I have realized all this; I have applied my heart to every kind of work that is done under the sun. There is a time when a person oppresses another person to that person's hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practise it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is as the wise man ? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

² I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatever pleaseth him.

⁴ Where the word of a king is , there is power: and who may say to him, what doest thou?

⁵ He who keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

⁶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

⁸ There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time in which one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

³ Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

⁴ for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

⁶ For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

⁷ For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practise it.

⁹ All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

¹ Who is such as a wise man? and who knoweth the solving, either expounding, of a word? The wisdom of a man shineth in his cheer; and the mightiest shall change his face.

² I keep the mouth of the king, and the commandments and the swearings of God.

³ Haste thou not to go away from his face, and dwell thou not in evil work. For he shall do all thing, that he will;

⁴ and his word is full of power, and no man may say to him, Why doest thou so?

⁵ He that keepeth the commandment of God, shall not feel anything of evil; the heart of a wise man understandeth time and answer.

⁶ Time and season is to each work; and much torment is of a man,

⁷ for he knoweth not the things passed, and he may not know by any messenger the things to come.

⁸ It is not in the power of man to forbid the spirit, that is, his soul, from going out from the body, neither he hath power in the day of death, neither he is suffered to have rest, when the battle nigheth; neither wickedness shall save a wicked man.

⁹ I beheld all these things, and I gave mine heart in all works, that be done under the sun. Sometime a man is lord of a man, to his evil.

¹ Who is such as a wise man? and who knoweth the solving, either expounding, of a word? The wisdom of a man shineth in his cheer; and the mightiest shall change his face, (or The wisdom of a person shineth in their face; and maketh even the mightiest to change his expression, or his countenance).

² I keep the mouth of the king, and the commandments and the swearings of God. (I counsel, (or advise), thee to obey the king’s commands, and to keep your oath, (or your pledge), to God.)

³ Haste thou not to go away from his face, and dwell thou not in evil work. For he shall do all thing, that he will, (or For he shall do anything, that he desireth);

⁴ and his word is full of power, and no man may say to him (or and no one can say to him), Why doest thou so?

⁵ He that keepeth the commandment of God, shall not feel anything of evil; the heart of a wise man understandeth time and answer.

⁶ Time and season is to each work; and much torment is of a man,

⁷ for he knoweth not the things passed, and he may not know by any messenger the things to come.

⁸ It is not in the power of man to forbid the spirit, that is, his soul, from going out from the body, neither he hath power in the day of death, neither he is suffered to have rest, when the battle nigheth; neither wickedness shall save a wicked man.

⁹ I beheld all these things, and I gave mine heart in(to) all works, that be done under the sun. Sometime a man is lord of a man, to his evil.

¹ Who is as the wise? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? The wisdom of man causeth his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

² I pray thee, the commandment of a king keep, even for the sake of the oath of God.

³ Be not troubled at his presence, thou mayest go, stand not in an evil thing, for all that he pleaseth he doth.

⁴ Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'

⁵ Whoso is keeping a command knoweth no evil thing, and time and judgment the heart of the wise knoweth.

⁶ For to every delight there is a time and a judgment, for the misfortune of man is great upon him.

⁷ For he knoweth not that which shall be, for when it shall be who declareth to him?

⁸ There is no man ruling over the spirit to restrain the spirit, and there is no authority over the day of death, and there is no discharge in battle, and wickedness delivereth not its possessors.

⁹ All this I have seen so as to give my heart to every work that hath been done under the sun; a time that man hath ruled over man to his own evil.