1 Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
aA man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And bthe sternness of his face is changed.
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
aA man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And bthe sternness of his face is changed.
Obey Authorities for God’s Sake
2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment afor the sake of your oath to God.
3 aDo not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”
5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful;
And a wise man’s heart1 discerns both time and judgment,
And a wise man’s heart1 discerns both time and judgment,
6 Because afor every matter there is a time and judgment,
Though the misery of man1 increases greatly.
Though the misery of man1 increases greatly.
8 aNo one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit,
And no one has power in the day of death.
There is bno release from that war,
And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.
And no one has power in the day of death.
There is bno release from that war,
And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.
9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.
Death Comes to All
10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were aforgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.
11 aBecause the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 aThough a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that bit will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Book Notes:
Robertson's Book Notes (NT)
Join 137,316+ readers
A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning
Consistent Bible study is hard to start.
The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.
Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.
