Ecclesiastes 8:9

⁷ Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?

⁸ As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

All this I have seen, applying my mind to every deed that is done under the sun; there is a time when one man lords it over another to his own detriment.

¹⁰ Then too, I saw the burial of the wicked who used to go in and out of the holy place, and they were praised in the city where they had done so. This too is futile.

¹¹ When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: All this I have seen, applying my mind to every deed that is done under the sun; there is a time when one man lords it over another to his own detriment.
KJV: All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
WEB: All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.
ASV: All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: [there is] a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.
DARBY: All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time when man ruleth man to his hurt.
BLB: All this I have seen, so as to give my heart to every work that is done the under sun; a time that man has ruled over man, for evil unto himself.

ÅB: Alt dette har jeg sett, og jeg har gitt akt på alt det som hender under solen, på en tid da det ene menneske hersket over det andre og voldte ham ulykke.
OTB: Alt dette har jeg observert, ved å anvende mitt sinn på alt som gjøres under solen, i en tid da en person utøver makt over en annen til deres skade.
B1930: Alt dette har jeg sett, og jeg har gitt akt på alt det som hender under solen, på en tid da det ene menneske hersket over det andre og voldte ham ulykke.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 4:7–8
Again, I saw futility under the sun.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 3:10
I have seen the burden that God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.
Read in context
2 Kings 14:10–12
You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”
Read in context
Exodus 14:5–9
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.”
Read in context
Deuteronomy 2:30
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.
Read in context