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Ecclesiastes 12:8-14
English Standard Version

8 (A)Vanity[a] of vanities, says (B)the Preacher; all is vanity.

Fear God and Keep His Commandments

9 Besides being wise, (C)the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging (D)many proverbs with great care. 10 (E)The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

11 (F)The words of the wise are like goads, and like (G)nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are (H)given by (I)one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making (J)many books there is no end, and (K)much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. (L)Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.[b] 14 For (M)God will bring every deed into judgment, with[c] every secret thing, whether good or evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:8 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (three times in this verse); see note on 1:2
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Or the duty of all mankind
  3. Ecclesiastes 12:14 Or into the judgment on
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Ecclesiastes 12:8-14
New International Version

8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[a](A)
    “Everything is meaningless!(B)”

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.(C) 10 The Teacher(D) searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.(E)

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

13 Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God(H) and keep his commandments,(I)
    for this is the duty of all mankind.(J)
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,(K)
    including every hidden thing,(L)
    whether it is good or evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:8 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd
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Ecclesiastes 11
Song of Solomon 1
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