| NET Bible | New International 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"; | 1Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will 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; | 2before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds 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 the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows 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, | 4when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; |
| 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-- | 5when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets. |
| 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-- | 6Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, |
| 7and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life's breath returns to God who gave it. | 7and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. |
| 8"Absolutely futile!" laments the Teacher, "All of these things are futile!" | 8"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" |
| 9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs. | 9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. |
| 10The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings. | 10The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. |
| 11The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd. | 11The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--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. | 12Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and 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. | 13Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. |
| 14For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. | 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. |
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