11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails(A)—given by one shepherd.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd

11 The (A)words of the wise are like [a](B)goads, and masters of these collections are like driven (C)nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 I.e., spiked sticks for driving cattle

11 The words of the wise are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; [a]they are given by one Shepherd.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 This verse establishes the divine inspiration of Ecclesiastes.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

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11 Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from a shepherd,[a] and they are like nails that fasten things together.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 12.11 a shepherd: This may be a reference to God as shepherd (see also Psalm 23.1).
  2. 12.11 These sayings … together: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.