[8:1] Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
[8:2] I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him.
[8:3] Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases.
[8:4] For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”
[8:5] Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.
[8:6] For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.
[8:7] For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?
[8:8] No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.
[8:9] All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.