Chapter 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 . " All is vanity !"
9 Further , because Kohelet was wise , he still taught the people knowledge . Yes, he pondered , sought out , and set in order many proverbs .
10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words , and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
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 .
12 Furthermore, 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 .
14 For God will bring every work into judgment , with every hidden thing , whether it is good , or whether it is evil .