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Ecclesiastes 12 (AMP)

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1 REMEMBER also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say , I have no enjoyment in them-- 2 Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened , and the clouds return after the rain ; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened; 4 When the doors are shut in the streets and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the voice of a bird and the crowing of a cock, and all the daughters of music are brought low; 5 Also when are afraid of danger from that which is high, and fears are in the way, and the almond tree blooms, and the grasshopper is a burden, and desire and appetite fail, because man goes to his everlasting home and the mourners go about the streets or marketplaces. 6 before the silver cord is snapped apart, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern ; 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God Who gave it. 8 Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. All is futility (emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and transitoriness)! 9 And furthermore, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought acceptable words, even to write down rightly words of truth or correct sentiment. 11 The words of the wise are like prodding goads, and firmly fixed like nails are the collected sayings which are given from one Shepherd. 12 But about going further , my son, be warned. Of making many books there is no end , and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man and the whole for every man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.