Ecclesiastes 12

Ecclesiastes 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;”

Ecclesiastes 12:2  
Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;

Ecclesiastes 12:3  
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,

Ecclesiastes 12:4  
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;

Ecclesiastes 12:5  
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;

Ecclesiastes 12:6  
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,

Ecclesiastes 12:7  
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:8  
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity!”

Ecclesiastes 12:9  
Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Ecclesiastes 12:10  
The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.

Ecclesiastes 12:11  
The 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.

Ecclesiastes 12:12  
Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Ecclesiastes 12:13  
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.

Ecclesiastes 12:14  
For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.


Public Domain