2 Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God. 3 Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
Ecclesiastes 8:2–4
Semantically similar passages
Job 23:12–14
12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. 13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. 14 For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.
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 5:2–4
2 Don’t follow your own mind and your strength to walk in the desires of your heart. (WEB) 3 Don’t say, “Who will have dominion over me?” for the Lord will surely take vengeance on you. (WEB) 4 Don’t say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is patient. (WEB)
Proverbs 25:5–7
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; 7 for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you s…
Judith 2:12–14
12 For as I live, and by the power of my kingdom, I have spoken, and I will do this with my hand. (WEB) 13 Moreover, you shall not transgress anything of the commandments of your lord, but you shall surely accomplish them, as I have commanded you. You shall not defer to d… (WEB)
Sirach 39:17–19
17 No one can say, “What is this?” “Why is that?” for at the proper time they will all be sought out. At his word, the waters stood as a heap, as did the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth. (WEB) 18 At his command all his good pleasure is fulfilled. There is no… (WEB) 19 … (WEB)
1 Esdras 8:20–22
20 to the sum of one hundred talents of silver, likewise also of wheat even to one hundred cors, and one hundred firkins of wine, and salt in abundance. (WEB) 21 Let all things be performed after God’s law diligently to the most high God, that wrath come not upon the king… (WEB)
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.
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