Ecclesiastes 8:4 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

Where the word of a king [is] power [is], and who saith to him, `What dost thou?`

English ASV

For the kings word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

English Amplified

For the word of a king is authority and power, and who can say to him, What are you doing?

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

For the word of a king is authority and power, and who can say to him, What are you doing?

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

English EASY 2024

The king's command has complete power. Nobody can tell him that he is wrong.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

He has the authority to give commands, and no one can tell him what to do.

For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?"

English GNT (Good News Translation)

The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Since a king's word has such power, no one can ask him what he is doing.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

For the king's word is authoritative, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

English KJV 1611

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

English LSB

Since the word of the king is powerful, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?"

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

because his word is sovereign, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Surely the king’s authority is absolute; no one can say to him, “What are you doing?”

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

He has the final word. So who can ask him, "What are you doing?"

English NIV

Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

English NKJ 1982

Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”

English NLT

The king's command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

The king's command is backed by great power, and no one can withstand it or question it.

English Tyndale 1537

Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him: What doest thou?

Ecclesiastes 8:4 — Compare Translations