LEB ECC Chapter 12

Advice to the Young: Life is Short and Then You Die

• before the days of trouble come
• and the years draw near when you will say,
  • “I find no pleasure in them!”
  • 2  and the clouds return after the rain.
  • 3  and the men of strength are bent;
• the grinders cease because they are few,
  • and those looking through the windows see dimly.
  • 4  when the sound of the grinding mill is low;
• one rises up to the sound of the bird,
  • and all the daughters of song are brought low.
  • 5  and terrors are on the road.
• The almond tree blossoms,
  • and the grasshopper draws itself along, and desire fails
• because man goes to his eternal home,
  • and the mourners go about in the streets.
  • 6  and the golden bowl is broken;
• and the jar at the foundation is broken,
  • and the wheel at the cistern is broken.
  • 7  and the breath returns to God who gave it.

Motto Restated

• 8 [fn] “Everything is vanity!”

Epilogue

9 The Teacher[fn] was full of wisdom, and he taught the people with knowledge. He carefully considered many proverbs and carefully arranged them. 10 The Teacher[fn] sought to find delightful words,[fn] and he wrote[fn] what is upright—truthful words.

11 The words of the wise are like cattle goads; the collections of the sages are like pricks inflicted by one shepherd.[fn] 12 My son, be careful about anything beyond these things.[fn] For the writing of books is endless, and too much study is wearisome.[fn]

• 13 Fear God and obey his commandments,
  • for this is the whole duty of man.
• 14  including every secret thing, whether good or evil.