Ecclesiastes 12

1Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble arrive and the years draw close, when you say, "I have no delight in them."

2before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars grow dark and the clouds return after the rain;

3in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the men of valor bow down, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out the windows darken.

4and the doors shut in the street when the sound of the grinding grows low, one rises at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song bow down.

5They also fear heights, terrors haunt the path; the almond blossoms, the grasshopper grows burdensome, and desire fails—because man goes to his eternal home, while mourners wander the streets.

6before the silver cord breaks loose, the golden bowl shatters, the pitcher shatters at the spring, and the wheel shatters at the cistern.

7Dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

9Moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; he carefully weighed, investigated, and ordered many proverbs.

10The Preacher sought to find pleasing words and what was written uprightly, words of truth.

11The counsels of the wise resemble goads, and like firmly planted nails belonging to owners of assemblies, appointed from one shepherd.

12As for more than these, my son, take heed: there is no end to making many books, and much study is weariness of the flesh.

13The end of all affairs has been heard: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man.

14For God will bring every deed into judgment, every hidden thing too, whether good or evil.