Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him, "What doest thou?"
New American Standard Bible
Since the word of the king is authoritative,
King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Holman Bible
For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
International Standard Version
Since a king's command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, "What are you doing?"
A Conservative Version
For the king's word [has] power, and who may say to him, What are thou doing?
American Standard Version
For the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Amplified
For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful,
And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
Bible in Basic English
The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing?
Darby Translation
because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Julia Smith Translation
Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?
King James 2000
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing?
Lexham Expanded Bible
Since the word of the king [is] supreme, no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
Modern King James verseion
Because the word of a king is that which has power; and who may say to him, What are you doing?
NET Bible
Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
New Heart English Bible
for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
The Emphasized Bible
Where the word of a king is, there is power, - who then may say to him, What wouldst thou do?
Webster
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, what doest thou?
World English Bible
for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
Youngs Literal Translation
Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'
Themes
Government » The kings of the earth
King » Obedience to, encouraged
Interlinear
Dabar
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 8:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
Obedience To The King
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight, and see thou continue in no evil thing: for whatsoever it pleaseth him, that doeth he. 4 Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him, "What doest thou?" 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment, shall feel no harm: but a wise man's heart discerneth time and manner.
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
If he be hasty to take anything away, who will make him restore it again? Who will say unto him, 'What doest thou?'
Daniel 4:35
in comparison of whom, all they that dwell upon the earth are to be reputed as nothing. He handleth according to his will, among the powers of heaven and among the inhabiters of the earth - and there is none that may resist his hand, or say, 'What doest thou?'
1 Kings 2:25
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and smote him that he died.
1 Kings 2:29-34
And it was told king Solomon how that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD and stood by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada saying, "Go and smite him."
1 Kings 2:46
And the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada: which went out and smote him that he died. And so was the kingdom settled in the hand of Solomon.
Job 33:12-13
"Behold, unto these unreasonable words of thine will I make answer. Should God be reproved of man?
Job 34:18-19
For he is even the same, that knoweth the rebellious kings, and sayeth to princes,
Proverbs 19:12
The king's disfavor is like the roaring of a Lion, but his friendship is like the dew upon the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The king ought to be feared as the roaring of a lion; whoso provoketh him unto anger, offendeth against his own soul.
Proverbs 30:31
A cock ready to fight; A ram; and a king that goeth forth with his people.
Daniel 3:15
Well, be ready hereafter, when ye hear the noise of the trumpets blow with the harps, shawmes psalteries, symphonies and all the other melodies: that ye fall down, and worship the Image which I have made. But if ye worship it not, ye shall be cast immediately in to a hot burning oven. Let's see what God is there, that may deliver you out of my hands!"
Luke 12:4-5
I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Romans 9:20
But O man what art thou, which disputest with God? Shall the work say to the workman, "Why hast thou made me on this fashion?"
Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God.