3 when 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;
4 when the doors to the street are closedand the sound of grinding fades;when people rise up at the sound of birds,but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heightsand of dangers in the streets;when the almond tree blossomsand the grasshopper drags itself alongand desire no longer is stirred.Then people go to their eternal homeand mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember 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,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 ‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.‘Everything is meaningless!’
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.