Ecclesiaste 12:9-14

9 (H12-11) L’Ecclesiaste, oltre ad essere un savio, ha anche insegnato al popolo la scienza, e ha ponderato, scrutato e messo in ordine un gran numero di sentenze.

10 (H12-12) L’Ecclesiaste s’è applicato a trovare delle parole gradevoli; esse sono state scritte con dirittura, e sono parole di verità.

11 (H12-13) Le parole dei savi son come degli stimoli, e le collezioni delle sentenze sono come de’ chiodi ben piantati; esse sono date da un solo pastore.

12 (H12-14) Del resto, figliuol mio, sta’ in guardia: si fanno de’ libri in numero infinito; e molto studiare è una fatica per il corpo.

13 (H12-15) Ascoltiamo dunque la conclusione di tutto il discorso: Temi Dio e osserva i suoi comandamenti, perché questo e il tutto dell’uomo.

14 (H12-16) Poiché Dio farà venire in giudizio ogni opera, tutto ciò ch’è occulto, sia bene, sia male.

Ecclesiaste 12:9-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 12

This chapter begins with advice to young men, which is continued from the preceding; and particularly to remember their Creator in the days of their youth; enforced from the consideration of the troubles and inconveniences of old age, Ec 12:1; which, in an allegorical way, is beautifully described, Ec 12:2-6; and from the certainty of death, when it would be too late, Ec 12:7. And then the wise man returns to his first proposition, and which he kept in view all along, that all is vanity in youth or old age, Ec 12:8; and recommends the reading of this book, from the diligence, pains and labour, he used in composing it; from the sententious matter in it; from the agreeable, acceptable, and well chosen words, in which he had expressed it; and from the wisdom, uprightness, truth, efficacy, and authority of the doctrines of it, Ec 12:9-11; and from its preference to other books, which were wearisome both to author and reader, Ec 12:12. And it is concluded with the scope and design, the sum and substance of the whole of it, reducible to these two heads; the fear of God, and obedience to him, Ec 12:13; and which are urged from the consideration of a future judgment, into which all things shall be brought, Ec 12:14.