11 When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.
11 ecause the sentence against evil deeds is so long in coming, people in general think they can get by with murder.
11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.
3 You put off the day of disaster and bring near a reign of terror.
3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat
3 O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence?
3 Woe to you who are rushing headlong to disaster! Catastrophe is just around the corner!
3 Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, Who cause the seat of violence to come near;
3 You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer.
(Read Amos 6:1-7)
Those are looked upon as doing well for themselves, who do well for their bodies; but we are here told what their ease is, and what their woe is. Here is a description of the pride, security, and sensuality, for which God would reckon. Careless sinners are every where in danger; but those at ease in Zion, who are stupid, vainly confident, and abusing their privileges, are in the greatest danger. Yet many fancy themselves the people of God, who are living in sin, and in conformity to the world. But the examples of others' ruin forbid us to be secure. Those who are set upon their pleasures are commonly careless of the troubles of others, but this is great offence to God. Those who placed their happiness in the pleasures of sense, and set their hearts upon them, shall be deprived of those pleasures. Those who try to put the evil day far from them, find it nearest to them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:11
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:9-13
(Read Ecclesiastes 8:9-13)
Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.