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.
10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails – given by one shepherd.
12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 Now 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.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,including every hidden thing,whether it is good or evil.Footnotes for the Book of Ecclesiastesa 8 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.a In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.a 8 Or over the human spirit to retain it, / and sob 9 Or to theirc 10 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (Aquila); most Hebrew manuscripts and are forgottena 16 Or king is a childa 8 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10b 11 Or Shepherd