Ecclesiastes 12
12
1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come, and the years draw near,
when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
2 Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,
and the strong men shall bow themselves,
and the grinders cease because they are few,
and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
4 and the doors shall be shut in the street;
when the sound of the grinding is low,
and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird,
and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
5 yes, they shall be afraid of heights,
and terrors will be on the way;
and the almond tree shall blossom,
and the grasshopper shall be a burden,
and desire shall fail;
because man goes to his everlasting home,
and the mourners go about the streets;
6 before the silver cord is severed,
or the golden bowl is broken,
or the pitcher is broken at the spring,
or the wheel broken at the cistern,
7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8“Vanity of vanities,” says Kohelet#12:8 the Preacher (or, Assembler).
“All is vanity!”
9 Further, because Kohelet#12:9 the Preacher (or, Assembler) was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. 11The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every work into judgement, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
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Ecclesiastes 12
12
1Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don't enjoy life anymore.”
2Someday the light of the sun
and the moon and the stars
will all seem dim to you.
Rain clouds will remain
over your head.
3Your body will grow feeble,
your teeth will decay,
and your eyesight fail.
4The noisy grinding of grain
and the voices of singers
will be shut out
by your deaf ears,
but even the song of a bird
will keep you awake.#12.4 but even the song … awake: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
5You will be afraid
to climb up a hill
or walk down a road.
Your hair will turn as white
as almond blossoms.
You will feel lifeless
and drag along
like an old grasshopper.
We each go to our eternal home,
and the streets here are filled
with those who mourn.
6The silver cord snaps,
the golden bowl breaks;
the water pitcher is smashed,
and the pulley at the well
is shattered.
7So our bodies return
to the earth,
and the life-giving breath#12.7 life-giving breath: Or “spirit.”
returns to God.
8Nothing makes sense.
I have seen it all—
nothing makes sense.
Respect and Obey God
9I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied. 10Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way.
11Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from a shepherd,#12.11 a shepherd: This may be a reference to God as shepherd (see also Psalm 23.1). and they are like nails that fasten things together.#12.11 These sayings … together: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. 12My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these.
There is no end to books,
and too much study
will wear you out.
13Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God!
This is what life
is all about.
14God will judge
everything we do,
even what is done in secret,
whether good or bad.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.