Ecclesiastes 8:4

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.”

4 Where the word of a king is, there is power;
And ^awho may say to him, “What are you doing?”

5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful;
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.

7 ^aFor he does not know what will happen;
So who can tell him when it will occur?

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?'

New English Translation
Surely the king’s authority¹ is absolute;² no one can say³ to him, “What are you doing?”