8:1 Who is 1 a 2 wise person? Who knows the solution 3 to a problem? 4
A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, 5 and softens 6 his harsh countenance. 7
8:2 Obey the king’s command, 8
because you took 9 an oath before God 10 to be loyal to him. 11
8:3 Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste – do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, 12
for he can do whatever he pleases.
8:4 Surely the king’s authority 13 is absolute; 14
no one can say 15 to him, “What are you doing?”
8:5 Whoever obeys his 16 command will not experience harm,
and a wise person 17 knows the proper time 18 and procedure.