| 章 |
| 12:1 |
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--
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| 12:2 |
before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
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| 12:3 |
when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;
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| 12:4 |
when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
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| 12:5 |
when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
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| 12:6 |
Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,
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| 12:7 |
and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
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| 12:8 |
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
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| 12:9 |
Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
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| 12:10 |
The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
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| 12:11 |
The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one Shepherd.
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| 12:12 |
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
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| 12:13 |
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
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| 12:14 |
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
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