【经】八年春王正月，公会王人、齐侯、宋公、卫侯、许男、曹伯、陈世子款盟于洮。郑伯乞盟。夏，狄伐晋。秋七月，禘于大庙，用致夫人。冬十有二月丁未，天王崩。
【传】八年春，盟于洮，谋王室也。郑伯乞盟，请服也。襄王定位而后发丧。
晋里克帅师，梁由靡御。虢射为右，以败狄于采桑。梁由靡曰：「狄无耻，从之必大克。」里克曰：「拒之而已，无速众狄。」虢射曰：「期年，狄必至，示之弱矣。」
夏，狄伐晋，报采桑之役也。复期月。
秋，禘而致哀姜焉，非礼也。凡夫人不薨于寝，不殡于庙，不赴于同，不祔于姑，则弗致也。
冬，王人来告丧，难故也，是以缓。
宋公疾，大子兹父固请曰：「目夷长，且仁，君其立之。」公命子鱼，子鱼辞，曰：「能以国让，仁孰大焉？臣不及也，且又不顺。」遂走而退。
translated: “Heaven has decreed, the sage’s era is upon us. Let it be as Heaven has decreed.”
Translation explanation: The phrase “let it be as Heaven has decreed” means to accept fate as it is and not to question its legitimacy or intentions. In this context from the Book of Documents, it suggests the rulers should follow the decrees of heavenly authority without resistance or rebellion. This is particularly important in the context of a time when Heaven’s will was being sought for peace and stability. The king and his advisors were seeking divine guidance for the country’s future, hoping to avoid any actions that could cause harm or disruption. By aligning with Heaven’s will, they hoped to ensure the smooth continuation of their rule and the prosperity of the people.