| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | International Standard Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Who is really wise? Who knows how to interpret this saying: "A person's wisdom improves his appearance, softening a harsh countenance." |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2I advise doing what the king says, especially regarding an oath to God. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Don't be in a hurry to leave him, and don't persist in evil, for he does whatever he pleases. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Since a king's command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, "What are you doing?" |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Whoever obeys his commands will not experience harm, and the wise in heart will discern both the appropriate time and response. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Indeed, there is an appropriate time and a response for every circumstance, since human misery weighs heavily upon him. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about? |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Just as no human being has control over the wind to restrain it, so also no human being has control over the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged during war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9I observed all this, and carefully considered everything that is undertaken on earth, especially the time when someone dominates another to his detriment. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10So I watched the wicked being entombed. They used to come in and out of the Holy Place, but now they are forgotten in the city, where they used to work. This, too, is pointless. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Whenever a sentence for a crime is not carried out swiftly, the human mind becomes determined to commit evil. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Even though a sinner does what is wrong a hundred times and still survives, nevertheless I also know that things will go well for those who fear God, who fear in his presence. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13But things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life like a shadow, since he has no fear before God. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Here is a pointless thing that happens on earth: A righteous man receives what happens to the wicked, and a wicked man receives what happens to the righteous. I concluded that this, too, is pointless. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth—even going without sleep day and night— |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17I saw all of it as the activity of God. Frankly, a human being cannot understand what happens on earth, because however hard a man works to discover it, he will not find out. Despite what he thinks he knows, he will not be able to figure it out. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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