Ecclesiastes 12

1 So remember your Creator during your youth! Otherwise, troublesome days will come and years will creep up on you when you’ll say, “I find no pleasure in them,”ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:1

2 Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark, or when clouds fail to return after the rain—ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:2

3 when that day comes, the palace guards will tremble, strong men will stoop down, women grinders will cease because they are few, and the sight of ^{a12:3 The Heb. lacks the sight of} those who peer through the lattice will grow dim.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:3

4 The doors to the street will be shut when the sound of grinding decreases, when one wakes up at the song of a bird, and all of the singing women are silenced.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:4

5 At that time they will fear climbing ^{b12:5 The Heb. lacks climbing} heights and dangers along the road while the almond tree will blossom, and the grasshopper is weighed down. Desire will cease, ^{c12:5 Lit. The caper berry will have no effect} because the person goes to his eternal home, and mourners will gather in the marketplace.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:5

6 When the silver cord is severed, the golden vessel is broken, the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, and the wheel is broken at the cistern,ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:6

7 then man’s ^{d12:7 The Heb. lacks man’s} dust will go back to the earth, returning to what it was, and the spirit ^{e12:7 Or the breath of life} will return to the God who gave it.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:7

8 “Utterly pointless,” says the Teacher. “Everything is pointless.”ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:8

9 Moreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:9

10 The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here ^{f12:10 The Heb. lacks here} is right and truthful.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:10

11 Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this ^{g12:11 The Heb. lacks this} masterful collection was given by one shepherd.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:11

12 So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:12

13 Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:13

14 For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil.ISV — Ecclesiastes 12:14