| New International Version (NIV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
|
1 Remember 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"--
|
1 Remember 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"--
|
|
2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
|
2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
|
|
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;
|
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 closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
|
4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
|
|
5 when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
|
5 when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
|
|
6 Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,
|
6 Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or 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.
|
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!"
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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 whole [duty] of man.
|
13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.
|
|
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
|
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
|
| Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
