Ecclesiastes 8:2-3
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 King James Version (KJV)
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Ecclesiastes 8:2-7 The Message (MSG)
Do what your king commands; you gave a sacred oath of obedience. Don’t worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You’re serving his pleasure, not yours. The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, “What are you doing?” Carrying out orders won’t hurt you a bit; the wise person obeys promptly and accurately. Yes, there’s a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It’s true that no one knows what’s going to happen, or when. Who’s around to tell us?
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.”
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 New Century Version (NCV)
Obey the king’s command, because you made a promise to God. Don’t be too quick to leave the king. Don’t support something that is wrong, because the king does whatever he pleases.
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 American Standard Version (ASV)
I counsel thee, Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 New International Version (NIV)
Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 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.
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”
Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him]. Do not be in a hurry to get out of his presence. Do not join in a malevolent matter, for the king will do whatever he pleases.