The Limitations of Human Wisdom Demonstrated by Human Governments
8:1 Who is1
a2
wise man? Who knows the solution3
to a problem?4
A man’s wisdom brightens his appearance,5
and softens6
his harsh countenance.7
8:2 Obey the king’s command,8
because you took an oath before God9
to be loyal to him.
8:3 Do not rush out of the king’s presence
in haste, do not delay when the matter is unpleasant;10
for he can do whatever he pleases.
8:4 Surely the king’s authority11
is absolute;12
no one can say13
to him, “What are you doing?”
8:5 Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm,
and a wise man14
knows the proper time15
and appropriate protocol to do things.
8:6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
for the oppression16
of the king17
is severe upon his victim.18
8:7 Surely no one knows the future,19
and no one can tell another person20
what will happen.21
8:8 Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain
it,22
so no one has power over the day of his death to delay it.
Just as no one is able to get discharged in the midst of battle,23
so wickedness can not rescue the wicked.24
8:9 While applying25
my mind26
to everything27
that happens in this world,28
I have seen all this:
Sometimes one man29
domineers30
other men31
to their harm.32
The Limitations of Human Wisdom in Accounting for Enigmatic Contradictions
to the Doctrine of Divine Retribution
8:10 Not only that,33
but I have seen the wicked approaching34
and even entering the Temple;
and as they left the Holy Temple,35
they boasted36
in the city that they had done so.
This also is enigmatic.37
8:11 When38
sentence39
is not executed40
against an evil deed speedily,
the human heart41
is encouraged42
to do evil.
8:12 Even though a sinner might commit one hundred
crimes43
and still live a long time,44
yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people45—for
they stand in fear before him.
8:13 But it will not go well with the wicked, neither
will they46
prolong their days like a shadow,47
because they48
do not stand in fear before God.
8:14 Here is49
another enigma50
that occurs on earth:
Sometimes there are righteous men who get what the wicked deserve for their
deeds,51
and sometimes there are wicked men who get what the righteous deserve for their
deeds.52
I said, “This also is an enigma.”53
Advice in the Light of the Limitations of Human Wisdom: Enjoy Life
8:15 So I recommend the enjoyment of life,
for there is nothing better on earth54
for man to do except55
to eat, drink, and enjoy life;56
thus, joy will accompany him in his toil
during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.57
The Futility in Understanding the Limitations of Human Wisdom
8:16 When I diligently attempted58
to gain59
wisdom
and to observe the human activity60
on earth—
even though61
it prevents anyone from sleeping62
day or night63—
8:17 then I discerned all that God has done:64
No one really comprehends what happens65
on the earth,66
Despite all human67
efforts to discover it, no one can ever find its meaning,
If68
a wise man might claim69
that he understood,
he does not really comprehend it.70