Ecclesiastes 12

Remember God in Your Youth

11Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the 2evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2before the 3sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; 3on the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and strong men are 4bent over, the grinders stop working because they are few, and 5those who look through 6windows grow 7dim; 4and the doors on the street are shut as the 8sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the 9daughters of song will 10sing softly. 5Furthermore, people are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal 11home while the 12mourners move around in the street. 6Remember your Creator before the silver cord is 13broken and the 14golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the spring is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 7then the 15dust will return to the earth as it was, and the 1617spirit will return to 18God who gave it. 8“19Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher, “all is futility!”

Purpose of the Preacher

9In addition to being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out, and arranged 20many proverbs. 10The Preacher sought to find 21delightful words and to write 22words of truth correctly.

11The 23words of the wise are like 2425goads, and masters of these collections are like driven 26nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12But beyond this, my son, be warned: the 27writing of 28many books is endless, and excessive 29study is 30wearying to the body.

13The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: 31fear God and 32keep His commandments, because this applies to 33every person. 14For 34God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.