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Ecclesiastes 12:7-12
New American Standard Bible

Chapter 12

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.
11The words of the wise are like goads, and masters of these collections are like driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive study is wearying to the body.
King James Version

Chapter 12

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.
10The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Christian Standard Bible

Chapter 12

7and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8"Absolute futility," says the Teacher. "Everything is futile."
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.
New Living Translation

Chapter 12

7For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
8Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless.'
9Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 10The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
11The words of the wise are like cattle prods — painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
12But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
English Standard Version

Chapter 12

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.
11The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
New International Version

Chapter 12

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!"
9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.
12Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
New King James Version

Chapter 12

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.
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