Ecclesiastes 8:1-7

1 here's nothing better than being wise, Knowing how to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes, And gives gentleness to words and manners.
2 Do what your king commands; you gave a sacred oath of obedience.
3 Don't worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You're serving his pleasure, not yours.
4 The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 Carrying out orders won't hurt you a bit; the wise person obeys promptly and accurately.
6 Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part.
7 It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us?
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.