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Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
The Message
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
The Message
The Final Word
9-10 Besides being wise himself, the Quester also taught others knowledge. He weighed, examined, and arranged many proverbs. The Quester did his best to find the right words and write the plain truth.
11 The words of the wise prod us to live well.
They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together.
They are given by God, the one Shepherd.
12-13 But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. The last and final word is this:
Fear God.
Do what he tells you.
14 And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil.
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Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
New International Version
The Conclusion of the Matter
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.(A) 10 The Teacher(B) searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.(C)
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails(D)—given by one shepherd.[a] 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.(E)
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
New International Version (NIV) 
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