Ecclesiastes Chapter 12 (NIV)
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Remember your Creatorin the days of your youth,before the days of trouble comeand the years approach when you will say,“I find no pleasure in them”—
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before the sun and the lightand the moon and the stars grow dark,and the clouds return after the rain;
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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;
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when the doors to the street are closedand the sound of grinding fades;when men rise up at the sound of birds,but all their songs grow faint;
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when men are afraid of heightsand of dangers in the streets;when the almond tree blossomsand the grasshopper drags himself alongand desire no longer is stirred.Then man goes to his eternal homeand mourners go about the streets.
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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,
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and the dust returns to the ground it came from,and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
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“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.“Everything is meaningless!”
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The Conclusion of the MatterNot only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
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The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
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The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd.
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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.
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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 whole duty of man.
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For God will bring every deed into judgment,including every hidden thing,whether it is good or evil.
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