Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 8:4
American Standard Version
For the king's word `hath' power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Amplified® Bible
For the word of a king is authority {and} power, and who can say to him, What are you doing?
Contemporary English Version
The king's word is law. No one can ask him, "Why are you doing this?"
Darby English Version
because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Good News Bible
The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does.
King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
New American Standard Bible
Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?"
New International Version
Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
New King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power;
And who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Since the word of the king has authority, who will say to him, "What do you do?"
Revised Standard Version
For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
Young's Literal Translation
Where the word of a king `is' power `is', and who saith to him, `What dost thou?'