[1] Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come and the years arrive when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": [2] before the sun, light, moon, and stars are darkened, and the clouds leave after the rain; [3] in the day when those watching the house tremble, and the strong men are bent over; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows have dimmed eyes; [4] and the doors on the street are shut, and the sound of grinding is low; and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low; [5] when they are afraid of heights, even the terrors along the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails, because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets. [6] Remember your Creator before the cord of silver is snapped, or the bowl of gold smashed, or the jar by the spring broken or the wheel at the cistern crushed. [7] The dust returns to the earth where it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. [8] It is all vanity, says the Preacher; all is vanity. [9] And in addition to being wise, the Preacher still taught the people knowledge, and he considered, sought out, and arranged many proverbs. [10] And the Preacher sought to discover words of delight, and to write in uprightness words of truth. [11] The words of the wise are like goads, and the collected sayings are like firmly embedded nails, given by one shepherd. [12] My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness to the flesh. [13] Now all has been heard. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
