Ecclesiastes 12:6-14
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 12
6Remember your Creator before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the spring is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 7then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 8Futility of futilities,' says the Preacher, 'all is futility!'
9In addition to being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
10The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.
King James Version
7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 12
6before the silver cord is snapped, and the gold bowl is broken, and the jar is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is broken into the well; 7and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
9In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs.
10The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately.
11The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.
12But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity.
14For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
New Living Translation
Chapter 12
6Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.English Standard Version
Chapter 12
6before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
9Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.
10The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
New International Version
7and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
New King James Version
Chapter 12
6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. 7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. 8“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”
9And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.
10The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
11The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
12And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
