Ecclesiastes 12:1
New International Version
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"—

New Living Translation
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

English Standard Version
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Berean Standard Bible
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”

King James Bible
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

New King James Version
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:

New American Standard Bible
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

NASB 1995
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them";

NASB 1977
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;

Legacy Standard Bible
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days happen and the years draw near in which you will say, “I have no delight in them”;

Amplified Bible
Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”;

Christian Standard Bible
So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say,” I have no delight in them";

American Standard Version
Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Contemporary English Version
Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, "I don't enjoy life anymore."

English Revised Version
Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, or ever the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Remember your Creator when you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years catch up with you. They will make you say, "I have found no pleasure in them."

Good News Translation
So remember your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come when you will say, "I don't enjoy life."

International Standard Version
So 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,"

Majority Standard Bible
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”

NET Bible
So remember your Creator in the days of your youth--before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";

New Heart English Bible
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"

Webster's Bible Translation
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

World English Bible
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Remember also your Creator in days of your youth, "" While that the evil days do not come, "" Nor the years have arrived, that you say, "" “I have no pleasure in them.”

Young's Literal Translation
Remember also thy Creators in days of thy youth, While that the evil days come not, Nor the years have arrived, that thou sayest, 'I have no pleasure in them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And remember him creating thee in the days of thy youth, till even when the days of evil shall not come, and the years draw near in which thou shalt say, Not to me delight in them;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the time of affliction arrives and the years draw near, about which you will say, “These do not please me.”

New American Bible
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come And the years approach of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

New Revised Standard Version
Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
REMEMBER now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw nigh when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth until the evil days will come, and the years will approach when you say: "I have no pleasure in them"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Remember then thy Creator in the days of thy youth, Before the evil days come, And the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: 'I have no pleasure in them';

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the days of evil come, and the years overtake thee in which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Remember Your Creator
1Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,” 2before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,…

Cross References
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Psalm 71:5-6
For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth. / I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.

Lamentations 3:27
It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.

2 Timothy 3:15
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. / These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Psalm 148:12-13
young men and maidens, old and young together. / Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Jeremiah 1:7
But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.

Luke 18:16-17
But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. / Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”


Treasury of Scripture

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them;

remember

Ecclesiastes 11:10
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Genesis 39:2,8,9,23
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian…

1 Samuel 1:28
Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

while

Ecclesiastes 11:8
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

Job 30:2
Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?

Psalm 90:10
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

when

2 Samuel 19:35
I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

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Approach Arrived Creator Delight Draw Evil Far Find Maker Mind Nigh Pleasure Remember Strength Trouble Turned Youth
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Approach Arrived Creator Delight Draw Evil Far Find Maker Mind Nigh Pleasure Remember Strength Trouble Turned Youth
Ecclesiastes 12
1. the Creator is to be remembered in due time
8. The preacher's care to edify
13. the fear of God is the chief antidote for vanity














Remember
The Hebrew word for "remember" is "זָכַר" (zakar), which implies more than just recalling to mind. It suggests an active, intentional focus and acknowledgment. In the biblical context, remembering often involves a call to action or obedience. This word encourages young people to actively engage with their faith and relationship with God, not merely as a mental exercise but as a guiding principle for life.

your Creator
The term "Creator" is derived from the Hebrew "בּוֹרֵא" (bore), which emphasizes God as the one who has fashioned and formed us. This acknowledgment of God as Creator is foundational in the biblical worldview, reminding us of our dependence on Him and His authority over our lives. It calls the youth to recognize their origin and purpose as divinely ordained, fostering a sense of humility and responsibility.

in the days of your youth
The phrase highlights the importance of establishing a relationship with God early in life. Youth is a time of vigor, potential, and opportunity. The exhortation is to use this period wisely, setting a foundation of faith that will sustain through life's challenges. Historically, this reflects the Jewish tradition of teaching children the ways of the Lord from a young age, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:7.

before the days of adversity come
This phrase serves as a warning and a reminder of life's transient nature. The "days of adversity" refer to times of trouble, aging, and the inevitable difficulties that come with life. The Hebrew word for adversity, "רָעָה" (ra'ah), can also mean evil or hardship. The verse encourages preparation and spiritual fortitude before these times arrive.

and the years approach of which you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'
This part of the verse speaks to the disillusionment and weariness that can accompany old age or difficult times. The Hebrew word for "pleasure," "חֵפֶץ" (chephets), implies delight or desire. The passage suggests that without a foundation in God, the later years of life may lack joy and fulfillment. It underscores the importance of a lifelong relationship with God, which can provide meaning and satisfaction even in challenging times.

XII.

(1) Creator.--This occurs as a Divine name in Isaiah 40:23; Isaiah 44:15. and elsewhere. Here it is in the plural, like the Divine name Elohim. (See also Note on Ecclesiastes 12:8.) We have "thy Maker" in the plural in Job 35:10; Psalm 149:2; Isaiah 54:5; and "Holy One" in Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 30:3; Hosea 11:12. . . .

Verse 1. - The division into chapters is unfortunate here, as this verse is closely connected with ver. 10 of the preceding chapter. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Set God always before thine eyes from thy earliest days; think who made thee, and what thou wast made for, not for self-pleasing only, not to gratify thy passions which now are strong; but that thou mightest use thy powers and energy in accordance with the laws of thy being as a creature of God's hands, responsible to him for the use of the faculties and capacities with which he has endowed thee. The word for "Creator" is the participle of the Verb barn, which is that used in Genesis 1:1, etc., describing God's work. It is plural in form, like Elohim, the plural being that of majesty or excellence (comp. Job 35:10: Isaiah 54:5). It is used here as an appellation of God, because the young have to bethink themselves that all they are and all they have come from God. Such plurals are supposed by some to be divinely intended to adumbrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity - a dark saying containing a mystery which future revelation shoed explain. "He that made thee" is a common phrase in Ecclesiasticus (Ecclesiastes 4:6; 7:30; 39:5). It is to be noted that Gratz reads "cistern" or a fountain" in place of "Creator," and explains this term to mean "wife, as in Proverbs 5:15-18. But the alteration has nothing to support it, and is most unnecessary, though Cheyne was inclined to adopt it ('Job and Solomon,' in loc.). While the evil days come not; i.e. before they come. "Days of evil; αἱ ἡμέραι τῆς κακίας (Σεπτυγαιντ) (Matthew 6:4); tempus afflictionis (Vulgate). The phrase refers to the grievances and inconveniences of old age, which are further and graphically described in the following verses, though whether the expressions therein used regard literal anatomical facts, or are allegorical representations of the gradual decay of the faculties, has been greatly disputed. Probably both opinions contain a partial truth, as will be noted in our Exposition. Ginsburg considers that the allusion is not to the ills that in the course of time all flesh is heir to, but rather to that premature decay and suffering occasioned by the unrestrained gratification of sensual passions, such as Cicero intimates ('De Senect.,' 9:29), "Libidinosa et intemperans adulescentia effetum corpus tradit senectuti." There is nothing specially in the text to support this view, and it is most reasonable to see here generally a figurative description of decay, whatever may be the cause. I have no pleasure in them. Ere the time comes when a man shall say, "I have no pleasure in life." Thus the aged Barzillai asks," Can I discern between good and evil? Can thy servant taste what I eat, or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing-men and singing-women?" (2 Samuel 19:35).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Remember
וּזְכֹר֙ (ū·zə·ḵōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

your Creator
בּ֣וֹרְאֶ֔יךָ (bō·wr·’e·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1254: To create, to cut down, select, feed

in the days
בִּימֵ֖י (bî·mê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of your youth,
בְּחוּרֹתֶ֑יךָ (bə·ḥū·rō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 979: Youth

before
עַ֣ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the days
יְמֵ֣י (yə·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of adversity
הָֽרָעָ֔ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

come,
יָבֹ֙אוּ֙ (yā·ḇō·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and the years
שָׁנִ֔ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

approach
וְהִגִּ֣יעוּ (wə·hig·gî·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

of which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you will say,
תֹּאמַ֔ר (tō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I find no
אֵֽין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

pleasure in them,”
חֵֽפֶץ׃ (ḥê·p̄eṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2656: Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 11:10
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