1. Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
2. I counsel thee, Keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3. Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4. Because the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
5. Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment:
6. for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:
7. for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
8. There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.
9. All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.
10. And withal I saw the wicked buried, and they came to the grave; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity.