1 Who is like the wise man? Who else can solve a problem? A man's wisdom lights up his expression - his stern look is changed.
2 Obey the command of the king because of the oath before God and
3 don't be eager to ignore it. Do not stubbornly support a bad cause, for he will do what he pleases.
4 The king's word holds. Who will say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 Whoever obeys a royal precept avoids trouble. The wise man knows the time and the judgment -
6 the time to act and the value of everything. This misfortune weighs heavily on man:
7 he has no knowledge of what will happen. Who can tell him what will happen?
8 No man controls the wind or holds back the day of death. Struggle is useless and not even wickedness saves its author.
9 I have observed this and set myself to consider everything that is done under the sun, when man is given the power of harming another.
10 And so I have seen the wicked buried and people come from the holy place to honor them, forgetting how they acted. This, too, is futile.
11 It is because sentence against wrongdoing is not passed at once that men turn to evil designs.
12 The sinner may do wrong a hundred times and yet survive.
13 but there will be no happiness for the wicked; and because he doesn't fear God, he will pass like a shadow and his days will not last.)
14 Another kind of nonsense is found in what humans do on earth: the righteous are treated as the wicked deserve, and the wicked, as the righteous deserve. This, too, is meaningless.
15 So I praise joy, since for man there is no happiness under the sun other than eating, drinking and taking pleasure in his work throughout the life God gives him under the sun.
16 When I set out to get wisdom and considered the human condition on earth, by day or by night when people sleep and are not conscious,
17 I saw that with regard to God's work, as a whole, no man is able to discover what the work is that goes on under the sun; though he tire himself searching, he will not find out. And if the wise man claims to know, he does not.
Versículos relacionados com Ecclesiastes, 8:
In chapter 8 of Ecclesiastes, the author reflects on justice and human wisdom in the face of the power of the rulers. He points out that justice is not always done immediately, and that often the wicked prosper as the righteous suffer. Moreover, he highlights the importance of obedience to constituted authorities, although he recognizes that this is not always easy. Below are five verses related to these themes:
Proverbs 21:1: "The king's heart is like a riberate controlled by the Lord; he directs him wherever he wants." This verse points to the idea that although human rulers have power, it is God who controls their hearts and directs their ways. This can be comforting for those who feel powerless before the authorities.
Psalm 72:1-2: "O God, grant the King your judgments and your righteousness to the Son of the King. He will rule your people with righteousness and your needy with righteousness." This psalm says a prayer for a righteous ruler who rules wisely and justice. It can be an encouragement for those who want intact and fair leaders.
Romans 13:1-2: "Every person is subject to the superior authorities; for there is no authority that does not come from God; and those who exist were ordained by God. Therefore, who opposes authority resists the ordination of God; those who resist will bring the condemnation upon themselves. " This excerpt from Paul's letter to the Romans highlights the importance of obedience to the constituted authorities, even if they are not perfect. The author of Ecclesiastes also emphasizes this idea.
Isaiah 1:23: "Their leaders are rebellious, companions of thieves; they all love the bribe and run after gifts. They do not defend the orphan's right, and the cause of the widow does not come before them." This verse criticizes the corrupt leaders who do not do justice and worry only about enriching. This criticism is in line with the reflection of the author of Ecclesiastes on injustice and impunity.
Isaiah 40:15: "Behold, nations are like a drop of water that falls from a bucket, and like a grain of powder on the balance; the islands are like thin powder that rises." This verse can be seen as a reminder of human smallness before the power of God. Although the rulers may seem powerful, their importance is minimal in the face of divine greatness.
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