12Verse 1Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,before the days of adversity comeand the years approach of which you will say,“I find no pleasure in them,”Verse 2before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened,and the clouds return after the rain,Verse 3on the day the keepers of the house trembleand the strong men stoop,when those grinding cease because they are fewand those watching through windows see dimly,Verse 4when the doors to the street are shutand the sound of the mill fades away,when one rises at the sound of a birdand all the daughters of song grow faint,Verse 5when men fear the heights and dangers of the road,when the almond tree blossoms,the grasshopper loses its spring,and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal homeand mourners walk the streets.Verse 6Remember Him before the silver cord is snappedand the golden bowl is crushed,before the pitcher is shattered at the springand the wheel is broken at the well,Verse 7before the dust returns to the ground from which it cameand the breath+returns to God who gave it.+Verse 8“Futility of vapors,” says the Teacher.“Everything is vapor!”
The Whole Duty of Man
Verse 9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.Verse 10The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.+Verse 11The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.+Verse 12And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.Verse 13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.Verse 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.