[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 in 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 the Preacher; All is vanity! [9]
Further, because the Preacher 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.
