Ecclesiastes 12 BSB ISV Parallel

◄ Ecclesiastes 12 ►

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Berean Study Bible

International Standard Version

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,”

1So 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,"

2before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,

2Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark, or when clouds fail to return after the rain—

3on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,

3when 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 will grow dim.

4when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint,

4The 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.

5when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.

5At 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.

6Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well,

6When 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,

7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

7then 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.

8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”

8"Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Everything is pointless."

9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.

9Moreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs.

10The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.

10The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here is right and truthful.

11The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.

11Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd.

12And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.

12So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.

13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

13Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.

14For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.

14For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil.

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