A Call to Fear God

(Ecclesiastes 8:10–13)

11 For this is what the LORD has spoken to me with a strong hand, instructing me not to walk in the way of this people:

12 “Do not call conspiracy

everything these people regard as conspiracy.

Do not fear what they fear;[fn]

do not live in dread.[fn]

13 The LORD of Hosts is the One

you shall regard as holy.

Only He should be feared;

only He should be dreaded.

14 And He will be a sanctuary—

but to both houses of Israel

a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,[fn]

to the dwellers of Jerusalem

a trap and a snare.

15 Many will stumble over these;

they will fall and be broken;

they will be ensnared and captured.”

16 Bind up the testimony

and seal the law among my disciples.

17 I will wait for the LORD,

who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob.

I will put my trust in Him.[fn]

18 Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me [fn] as signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD of Hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.