Ecclesiastes 8:2-6

Holman Christian Standard Bible

² Keep^[a] the king’s command because of your oath made before God.^{(A) 3} Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence,^(B) and don’t persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants. ⁴ For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”^{(C) 5} The one who keeps a command will not experience anything harmful,^(D) and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. ⁶ For every activity there is a right time and procedure,^(E) even though man’s troubles are heavy on him.