Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
King James Version
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?
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Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
New King James Version
Obey Authorities for God’s Sake
2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment (A)for the sake of your oath to God. 3 (B)Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power;
And (C)who may say to him, “What are you doing?”
Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
English Standard Version
2 I say:[a] Keep the king's command, because of (A)God's oath to him.[b] 3 Be not hasty to (B)go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and (C)who may say to him, “What are you doing?”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Hebrew lacks say
- Ecclesiastes 8:2 Or because of your oath to God
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
