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Ecclesiastes 8:2

Ecclesiastes 8:1 cpdv — The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the expression of a most powerful man will change.

Catholic Public Domain Version

" The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the expression of a most powerful man will change. "

— Ecclesiastes 8:1, Catholic Public Domain Version

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Ecclesiastes 8:1 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 8 — Context

1

The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the expression of a most powerful man will change.

2

I heed the mouth of the king, and the commandment of an oath to God.

3

You should not hastily withdraw from his presence, nor should you remain in an evil work. For all that pleases him, he will do.

4

And his word is filled with authority. Neither is anyone able to say to him: “Why are you acting this way?”

Ecclesiastes 8:1 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 8:1 say?
Ecclesiastes 8:1 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “ The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the expression of a most powerful man will change. ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 8:1 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 8:1 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 8, verse 1.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 8:1.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 8:1 in?
Ecclesiastes 8:1 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 8:1?
Ecclesiastes 8:1 reads (CPDV): “ The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the expression of a most powerful man will change. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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