Ecclesiastes 8:4–6

¹²Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

^12*Behold, he taketh away, ^†who can hinder him? who will say vnto him, What doest thou?

¹LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

²Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

³For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

¹¶ Let euery soule bee subiect vnto the higher powers: For there is no power but of God. The powers that be, are ^‖ordeined of God.

²Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues damnation.

³For rulers are not a terrour to good works, but to the euill. Wilt thou then not bee afraide of the power? doe that which is good, and thou shalt haue praise of the same.

⁴For hee is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is euill, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vaine: for he is the minister of God, a reuenger to execute wrath vpon him that doeth euill.

³⁵And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

^35*And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and hee doth according to his will in the armie of heauen, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say vnto him, What doest thou?

²The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

^2*The feare of a king, is as the roaring of a Lion: who so prouoketh him to anger, sinneth against his owne soule.

¹⁸Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

¹⁹How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

¹⁸ Is it fit to say to a King, Thou art wicked? and to Princes, Ye are vngodly?

^19*How much lesse to him that accepteth not the persons of Princes, nor regardeth the rich more then the poore? for they all are the woorke of his hands.

¹²The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

^12*The kings wrath is as the roaring of a lyon: but his fauour is as dewe vpon the grasse.

²⁰Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

²⁰Nay but O man, who art thou that ^‖repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, ^*Why hast thou made me thus?

²⁵And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

²⁵And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and he fell vpon him that he died.

²⁹And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

³⁰And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the Lord, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.

³¹And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.

³²And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

³³Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the Lord.

³⁴So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

²⁹And it was told king Solomon that Ioab was fled vnto the Tabernacle of the LORD, and behold, hee is by the Altar: Then Solomon sent Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, saying, Goe fall vpon him.

³⁰And Benaiah came to the Tabernacle of the LORD, and said vnto him, Thus saith the king, Come foorth. And he said, Nay, but I will die heere. And Benaiah brought the king word againe, saying, Thus said Ioab, and thus he answered me.

³¹And the king saide vnto him, Doe as he hath said, and fall vpon him, and bury him, that thou mayest take away the innocent blood which Ioab shed, from mee, and from the house of my father.

³²And the LORD shall returne his blood vpon his owne head, who fell vpon two men, more righteous and better then hee, and slew them with the sword, my father Dauid not knowing thereof, to wit, ^*Abner the sonne of Ner, captaine of the hoste of Israel, and ^*Amasa the sonne of Iether, captaine of the hoste of Iudah.

³³Their blood shall therefore returne vpon the head of Ioab, and vpon the head of his seed for euer: but vpon Dauid, and vpon his seede, and vpon his house, and vpon his throne, shall there bee peace for euer from the LORD.

³⁴So Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada went vp, and fell vpon him, and slewe him, and hee was buried in his owne house in the wildernesse.

⁴⁶So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

⁴⁶So the king commaunded Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, which went out, and fell vpon him, that he died, and the ^*kingdome was established in the hand of Solomon.

¹⁵Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye 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?

¹⁵Now if ye be ready that at what time yee heare the sound of the cornet, flute, harpe, sackbut, psalterie, and dulcimer, and all kindes of musicke, ye fall downe, and worship the image which I haue made, well: but if yee worship not, ye shall be cast the same houre into the midst of a fierie furnace, and who is that God that shall deliuer you out of my handes?

¹²Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

¹³Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

¹²Behold, in this thou art not iust: I will answere thee, That God is greater then man.

¹³Why doest thou striue against him? for ^†he giueth not account of any of his matters.

⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

^4*And I say vnto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that, haue no more that they can doe.

⁵But I will forewarne you whom you shall feare: Feare him, which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell, yea, I say vnto you, Feare him.

³¹A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

^31‖A gray-hound; an hee-goate also; and a king, against whom there is no rising vp.

¹⁴But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

^14‖‖But strong meate belongeth to them that are of full age, euen those who by reason of vse haue their senses exercised to discerne both good and euil.

¹³And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

¹⁴But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

¹³And who is hee that will harme you, if ye bee followers of that which is good?

¹⁴But and if ye suffer for righteousnes sake, happy are ye, and be not ^*afraid of their terrour, neither be troubled:

⁹And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

¹⁰That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

⁹And this I pray, that your loue may abound yet more & more in knowledge, and in all ^‖iudgment.

¹⁰That ye may ^‖approue things that ^‖are excellent, that ye may be sincere, and without offence till the day of Christ.

³²And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

³²And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had vnderstanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to doe: the heads of them were two hundred, and all their brethren were at their commandement.

¹⁹But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

¹⁹But Peter and Iohn answered, and said vnto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken vnto you more then vnto God, iudge ye.

²⁵And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

²⁵And he said vnto them, Render therefore vnto Cesar the things which be Cesars, and vnto God the things which be Gods.

⁵Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

⁷Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

⁵Wherfore ye must needs be subiect, not onely for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

⁶For, for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are Gods ministers, attending continually vpon this very thing.

⁷Render therfore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custome to whome custome, feare to whome feare, honour to whom honour.

¹⁴But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

¹⁵But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

¹⁴But the naturall man receiueth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse vnto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

^15*But he that is spirituall, ^‖iudgeth all things, yet he himselfe is ^‖iudged of no man.

²⁹¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

²⁹¶ Then Peter, and the other Apostles answered, and saide, Wee ought to obey God rather then men.

²A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

²A wise mans heart is at his right hand: but a fooles heart at his left.

¹⁴The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

^14*The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknes: and I my selfe perceiued also that one euent happeneth to them all.

²I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

²I counsell thee, to keepe the kings commandement, and that in regard of the oath of God.

¹⁷But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

¹⁷But the midwiues feared God, and did not as the King of Egypt commanded them, but saued the men children aliue.

¹¹Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

¹¹Ephraim is oppressed, and broken in iudgement: because he willingly walked after the commandement.

⁵⁶Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

⁵⁷Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

⁵⁶ Ye hypocrites, ye can discerne the face of the skie, and of the earth: but how is it that yee doe not discerne this time?

⁵⁷Yea, and why euen of your selues iudge ye not what is right?

²⁴Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

^24*Wisedome is before him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the ends of the earth.

⁹For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

⁹For this cause wee also, since the day we heard it, doe not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding:

²⁰Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

²¹And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

²⁰Therefore God dealt well with the midwiues: and the people multiplied and waxed very mighty.

²¹And it came to passe, because the midwiues feared God, that hee made them houses.

⁶Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

⁶Then shall I not bee ashamed: when I haue respect vnto all thy commandements.

¹TO every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

¹¶ To euery thing there is a season, and a time to euery purpose vnder the heauen.

¹⁷I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

^17†I said in mine heart, God shall iudge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there, for euery purpose and for euery worke.

¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

¹¹He hath made euery thing beautifull in his time: also hee hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can finde out the worke that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

⁴²Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

⁴³For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

⁴⁴And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

⁴²Saying, If thou hadst knowen, euen thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong vnto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

⁴³For the dayes shall come vpon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compasse thee round, and keepe thee in on euery side,

⁴⁴And shall lay thee euen with the ground, and thy children within thee: and they shall not leaue in thee one stone vpon another, because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

¹³Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

^13*Consider the worke of God: for who can make that straight, which hee hath made crooked?

^14†In the day of prosperitie be ioyfull, but in the day of aduersitie consider: God also hath set the one ouer against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

²⁶And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

²⁷They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

²⁸Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

²⁹But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

³⁰Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

^26*And as it was in the dayes of Noe: so shal it be also in the dayes of the Sonne of man.

²⁷They did eate, they dranke, they married wiues, they were giuen in mariage, vntill the day that Noe entred into the arke: and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

^28*Likewise also as it was in the dayes of Lot, they did eat, they dranke, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded:

²⁹But the same day that Lot went out of Sodome, it rained fire and brimstone from heauen, & destroyed them all:

³⁰Euen thus shall it bee in the day when the Sonne of man is reuealed.

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⁷Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

⁸Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

⁹When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

¹⁰Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

¹¹So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

⁷Wherfore as the holy Ghost saith, ^*To day if ye will heare his voyce,

⁸Harden not your hearts, as in the prouocation, in the day of temptation in the wildernesse:

⁹When your fathers tempted me, prooued me, and saw my works fourty yeeres.

¹⁰Wherefore I was grieued with that generation, and sayd, They doe alway erre in their hearts, and they haue not knowen my wayes.

¹¹So I sware in my wrath: ^†they shall not enter into my rest.

¹²And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

¹³And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

¹⁴And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts.

¹²And in that day did the LORD God of hostes call to weeping and to mourning, and to baldnesse, and to girding with sackecloth.

^13*And behold ioy and gladnesse, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine; let vs eate and drinke, for to morrow we shall die.

¹⁴And it was reuealed in mine eares by the LORD of hostes; surely this iniquitie shall not be purged from you, till yee die, sayth the LORD God of hostes.

¹¹Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

¹²¶ As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

¹³The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

¹⁴The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

^11†Woe vnto the wicked, it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his handes shalbe giuen him.

¹²¶ ^‖† As for my people, children are their oppressours, and women rule ouer them: O my people, they which lead thee, cause thee to erre, and destroy the way of thy paths.

¹³The LORD standeth vp to plead, and standeth to iudge the people.

^14‖The LORD will enter into iudgement with the ancients of his people, and the Princes thereof: for ye haue eaten vp the Uineyard; the spoile of the poore is in your houses.

²⁵When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

²⁵When once the master of the house is risen vp, & hath shut to the doore, and ye begin to stand without, & to knocke at the doore, saying, Lord, Lord, open vnto vs, and he shal answere, & say vnto you, I know you not whence you are: