Ecclesiastes 8:2-7 in English

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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?