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. 3 Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.
Ecclesiastes 8:1–3
Semantically similar passages
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)
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…
Ecclesiastes 10:3–5
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an er…
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.
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.
Sirach 4:26–28
26 Don’t be ashamed to confess your sins. Don’t fight the river’s current. (WEB) 27 Don’t lay yourself down for a fool to tread upon. Don’t be partial to one who is mighty. (WEB) 28 Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God will fight for you. (WEB)
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.
Sirach 13:10–12
10 Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten. (WEB) 11 Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner. (WEB) 12 He who doesn’t keep s… (WEB)
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