The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
7 The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.
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and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 It's all smoke, nothing but smoke. The Quester says that everything's smoke.
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“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.“Everything is meaningless!”
9 Besides being wise himself, the Quester also taught others knowledge. He weighed, examined, and arranged many proverbs.
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Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10 The Quester did his best to find the right words and write the plain truth.
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The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd.
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The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.
12 But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else.
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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 The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.
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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 And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil.
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For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.