| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1So remember your Creator in the days of your youth--before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them"; | 1So 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," |
| 2before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain; | 2Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark, or when clouds fail to return after the rain— |
| 3when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim, | 3when 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 those who peer through the lattice will grow dim. |
| 4and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint, | 4The 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. |
| 5and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up--because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets-- | 5At that time they will fear climbing heights and dangers along the road while the almond tree will blossom, and the grasshopper is weighed down. Desire will cease, because the person goes to his eternal home, and mourners will gather in the marketplace. |
| 6before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water wheel is broken at the cistern-- | 6When 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, |
| 7and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life's breath returns to God who gave it. | 7then man's dust will go back to the earth, returning to what it was, and the spirit will return to the God who gave it. |
| 8"Absolutely futile!" laments the Teacher, "All of these things are futile!" | 8"Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Everything is pointless." |
| 9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs. | 9Moreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs. |
| 10The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings. | 10The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here is right and truthful. |
| 11The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd. | 11Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd. |
| 12Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body. | 12So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body. |
| 13Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. | 13Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human. |
| 14For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. | 14For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil. |
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