1 Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don't enjoy life any more.”
2 Some day the light of the sunand the moon and the starswill all seem dim to you.Rain clouds will remainover your head.
3 Your body will grow feeble,your teeth will decay,and your eyesight fail.
4 The noisy grinding of grainwill be shut outby your deaf ears,but even the song of a birdwill keep you awake.
5 You will be afraidto climb up a hillor walk down a road.Your hair will turn as whiteas almond blossoms.You will feel lifelessand drag alonglike an old grasshopper.We each go to our eternal home,and the streets are filledwith those who mourn.
6 The silver cord snaps,the golden bowl breaks;the water pitcher is smashed,and the pulley at the wellis shattered.
7 So our bodies returnto the earth,and the life-giving breathreturns to God.
8 Nothing makes sense.I have seen it all—nothing makes sense.
9 I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied.
10 Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way.
11 Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from God, our only shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together.
12 My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these.There is no end to books,and too much studywill wear you out.
13 Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:Respect and obey God!This is what lifeis all about.
14 God will judgeeverything we do,even what is done in secret,whether good or bad.