Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

¹Who 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.

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

³Don'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.

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

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

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

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

⁸No 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!

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