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Ecclesiastes 12 :: New International Version (NIV)

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Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:1 - 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”—
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:2 - before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:3 - 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;
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:4 - when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:5 - when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:6 - Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well,
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:7 - and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:8 - “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[fn] “Everything is meaningless!”

The Conclusion of the Matter

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:9 - 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.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:10 - The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:11 - The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:12 - Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:13 - 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.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 12:14 - For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
NIV Footnotes
Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10
Or Shepherd
NIV

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.


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For more information on this translation, see the NIV Preface.

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