Parallel Verses
New Heart English Bible
for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
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?
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?"
NET Bible
Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one 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 Do not be hasty to go out of his presence. Do not persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him, 4 for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?" 5 Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
Behold, he snatches away. Who can hinder him? Who will ask him, 'What are you doing?'
Daniel 4:35
All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing; and he does according to his will in the host of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, "What have you done?"
1 Kings 2:25
King Solomon sent by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell on him, so that he died.
1 Kings 2:29-34
It was told king Solomon, "Joab has fled to the Tent of the LORD, and behold, he is by the altar." Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, fall on him."
1 Kings 2:46
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out, and fell on him, so that he died. The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
Job 33:12-13
"Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
Job 34:18-19
Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'?
Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
Proverbs 30:31
the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
Daniel 3:15
Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you do not worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?"
Luke 12:4-5
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"
Romans 13:1-4
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God.