Remember now thy Creator
in the days
of thy youth
, while the evil
days
come
not, nor the years
draw nigh
, when thou shalt say
, I have no pleasure
in them;
While the sun, or the light
, or the moon
, or the stars
, be not darkened
, nor the clouds
return
after
the rain
:
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 that look out
of the windows
be darkened
,
And the doors shall be shut
in the streets
, when the sound
of the grinding
is low
, and he shall rise up
at the voice
of the bird
, and all the daughters
of musick
shall be brought low
;
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high
, and fears
shall be in the way
, and the almond tree
shall flourish
, and the grasshopper
shall be a burden
, and desire
shall fail
: because man
goeth
to his long
home
, and the mourners
go about
the streets
:
Or ever the silver
cord
be loosed
, or the golden
bowl
be broken
, or the pitcher
be broken
at the fountain
, or the wheel
broken
at the cistern
.
Then shall the dust return
to the earth
as it was: and the spirit
shall return
unto God
who gave
it.
Vanity of vanities
, saith
the preacher
; all is vanity
.
And moreover, because the preacher
was wise
, he still taught
the people
knowledge
; yea, he gave good heed
, and sought out
, and set in order
many
proverbs
.
The preacher sought
to find out
acceptable
words
: and that which was written
was upright
, even words
of truth
.
The words of the wise
are as goads
, and as nails
fastened
by the masters
of assemblies
, which are given
from one
shepherd
.
And further, by these
, my son
, be admonished
: of making
many
books
there is no end
; and much
study
is a weariness
of the flesh
.
Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter
: Fear
God
, and keep
his commandments
: for this is the whole duty of man
.
For God shall bring
every work
into judgment
, with every secret thing
, whether it be good
, or whether it be evil
.