Ecclesiastes 8:1-8

1How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.

2Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would.

3Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants.

4His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.

5Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right,

6for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.

7Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen?

8None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked.