Ecclesiastes 12

1So remember your Creator while you are young, before the bad days arrive and the years come of which you will say, “They give me no delight”;

2before the sun and the daylight, the moon and the stars go dark, and the clouds come back after the rain;

3on the day when the watchmen of the house shake and the strong men stoop, when the grinders sit idle because they are few and those peering out through the windows are darkened;

4when the doors onto the street are closed as the noise of the mill sinks low, when one is roused by the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of song fade away;

5when they also fear what is high and dangers along the way; when the almond tree is in blossom, the grasshopper plods heavily, and desire is spent—for human beings are going to their everlasting home, and the mourners wander through the streets—

6before the silver cord is pulled apart and the golden bowl is crushed, before the jar breaks beside the spring and the wheel falls shattered into the cistern,

7and the dust goes back to the earth as it was before, and the spirit goes back to God, the one who gave it.

8“Utter futility,” says the Teacher, “everything is futile!”

9Not only was the Teacher wise; he also went on teaching the people knowledge. He pondered, searched out, and set in order a great many proverbs.

10The Teacher searched for words that delight, and what he wrote was honest—words that are true.

11Sayings from the wise are like goads, and collected sayings are like nails driven deep; one shepherd gave them.

12Beyond these, my son, take warning: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study tires out the body.

13When all has been heard, this is the end of the matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of being human.

14For God will bring every act into judgment, along with everything hidden, whether good or bad.