12So remember your Creator during your youth! Otherwise, troublesome days will come and years will creep up on you when you'll say, "I find no pleasure in them,"H2142H1254H3117H979H7451H3117H935H8141H5060H559H26562Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark, or when clouds fail to return after the rain?H8121H216H3394H3556H2821H5645H7725H310H16533when that day comes, the palace guards will tremble, strong men will stoop down, women grinders will cease because they are few, and the sight of those who peer through the lattice grows dim.H3117H8104H1004H2111H2428H582H5791H2912H988H4591H7200H699H28214The doors to the street will be shut when the sound of grinding decreases, when one wakes up at the song of a bird, and all of the singing women are silenced.H1817H5462H7784H6963H2913H8217H6965H6963H6833H1323H7892H78175At that time they will fear climbing heights and dangers along the road while the almond tree will blossom, and the grasshopper is weighed down. Desire will cease, because the person goes to his eternal home, and mourners will gather in the marketplace.H3372H1364H2849H1870H8247H5006H2284H5445H35H6565H120H1980H5769H1004H5594H5437H77846When the silver cord is severed, the golden vessel is broken, the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, and the wheel is broken at the cistern,H3808H3701H2256H7576H7368H2091H1543H7533H3537H7665H4002H1534H7533H9537then man's dust will go back to the earth, returning to what it was, and the spirit will return to the God who gave it.H6083H7725H776H7307H7725H430H54148"Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Everything is pointless."H1892H1892H559H6953H1892
Conclusions
9Moreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs.H3148H6953H2450H3925H5971H1847H239H2713H8626H7235H491210The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here is right and truthful.H6953H1245H4672H2656H1697H3789H3476H1697H57111Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd.H1697H2450H1861H4930H5193H1167H627H5414H259H746212So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.H3148H1992H1121H2094H6213H7235H5612H7093H7235H3854H3024H132013Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.H8085H5490H1697H3372H430H8104H4687H12014For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil.H430H935H4639H4941H5956H2896H7451
Dublin, OH
