3 Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases.
3 Don't worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You're serving his pleasure, not yours.
3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him."
3 Don't try to avoid doing your duty, and don't stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants.
4 Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
4 The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, "What are you doing?"
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
4 His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.
(Read Ecclesiastes 8:1-5)
None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:3
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1-5
(Read Ecclesiastes 8:1-5)
None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!