1 Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed. 2 Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.
Ecclesiastes 8:1–2
Semantically similar passages
Ecclesiastes 5:3–5
3 As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
Proverbs 16:9–11
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. 11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
Sirach 7:4–6
4 Don’t seek preeminence from the Lord, nor the seat of honor from the king. (WEB) 5 Don’t justify yourself in the presence of the Lord, and don’t display your wisdom before the king. (WEB) 6 Don’t seek to be a judge, lest you not be able to take away iniquities, lest perhaps yo… (WEB)
Tobit 12:10–12
10 but those who sin are enemies to their own life. (WEB) 11 Surely I will conceal nothing from you. I have said, ‘It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God.’ (WEB) 12 And now, when you prayed, and Sarah your daughter-in-law, I brought th… (WEB)
Ecclesiastes 2:12–14
12 Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished? 13 And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness: 14 The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks…
Sirach 25:4–6
4 How beautiful a thing is judgment in the gray-haired, and for elders to know good counsel! (WEB) 5 How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men who are in honor! (WEB) 6 Much experience is the crown of the aged. Their glory is the fear of the Lo… (WEB)
Proverbs 16:13–15
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. 14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
Ecclesiastes 7:12–14
12 For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 13 Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent? 14 In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this:…
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