Ecclesiastes 12
King James Version
12 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be 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 unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9 And 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.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes 12
Amplified Bible
Remember God in Your Youth
12 Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”;(A) 2 before the sun and the light, and the moon and the stars are darkened [by impaired vision], and the clouds [of depression] return after the rain [of tears]; 3 in the day when the keepers of the house (hands, arms) tremble, and the strong men (feet, knees) bow themselves, and the grinders (molar teeth) cease because they are few, and those (eyes) who look through the windows grow dim; 4 when the doors (lips) are shut in the streets and the sound of the grinding [of the teeth] is low, and one rises at the sound of a bird and the crowing of a rooster, and all the daughters of music (voice, ears) sing softly. 5 Furthermore, they are afraid of a high place and of dangers on the road; the almond tree (hair) blossoms [white], and the grasshopper (a little thing) is a burden, and the [a]caperberry (desire, appetite) fails. For man goes to his eternal home and the mourners go about the streets and market places.(B) 6 Earnestly remember your Creator before the silver cord [of life] is broken, or the golden bowl is crushed, or the pitcher at the fountain is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 7 then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] 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 [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”(C)
Purpose of the Preacher
9 Furthermore, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and searched out and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words, even to write correctly words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; [b]they are given by one Shepherd.(D) 12 But beyond this my son, [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned: the writing of many books is endless [so do not believe everything you read], and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.(E)
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 12:5 This is an actual bush that grows in the region of the Mediterranean Sea. It is used in various condiments. In this verse some think it refers to loss of taste in old age, others to sexual desire (taking the fruit as an aphrodisiac), but which is not clear.
- Ecclesiastes 12:11 This verse establishes the divine inspiration of Ecclesiastes.
Eclesiastés 12
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
12 Acuérdate, pues, de tu Creador(A) en los días de tu juventud,
Antes que vengan los días malos(B),
Y se acerquen los años en que digas:
«No tengo en ellos placer».
2 Antes que se oscurezcan el sol y la luz,
La luna y las estrellas(C),
Y las nubes vuelvan tras la lluvia;
3 El día cuando tiemblen los guardas de la casa
Y los fuertes se encorven(D),
Las que muelen estén ociosas porque son pocas,
Y se nublen(E) los que miran por las ventanas[a].
4 Cuando además se cierren las puertas de la calle
Por ser bajo el sonido del molino(F),
Y se levante uno al canto del ave,
Y todas las hijas del canto sean abatidas(G);
5 Se temerá a la altura y a los terrores en el camino.
Cuando florezca el almendro, se arrastre la langosta y la alcaparra pierda su efecto[b];
Porque el hombre va a su morada eterna(H)
Mientras los del duelo(I) andan por la calle.
6 Acuérdate de Él antes que se rompa[c] el hilo de plata,
Se quiebre el cuenco de oro(J),
Se rompa el cántaro junto a la fuente,
Y se haga pedazos la rueda junto al pozo;
7 Entonces el polvo volverá a la tierra como lo que era(K),
Y el espíritu volverá a Dios(L) que lo dio(M).
8 «Vanidad de vanidades», dice el Predicador, «todo es vanidad(N)».
Conclusión
9 El Predicador, además de ser sabio, enseñó también sabiduría al pueblo; y reflexionó, investigó y compuso muchos proverbios(O). 10 El Predicador trató de encontrar palabras agradables(P), y de escribir correctamente palabras de verdad(Q).
11 Las palabras de los sabios(R) son como aguijones(S), y como clavos(T) bien clavados las de los maestros de estas colecciones, dadas por un Pastor. 12 Pero además de esto, hijo mío, estate prevenido: el hacer muchos libros no tiene fin(U), y demasiada dedicación a ellos es fatiga del cuerpo[d](V).
13 La conclusión, cuando todo se ha oído, es esta:
Teme a Dios(W) y guarda Sus mandamientos(X),
Porque esto concierne a toda persona(Y).
14 Porque Dios traerá toda obra a juicio,
Junto con todo lo oculto,
Sea bueno o sea malo(Z).
Footnotes
- Eclesiastés 12:3 O aberturas.
- Eclesiastés 12:5 O y se pierda el apetito.
- Eclesiastés 12:6 Así en la versión gr. (sept.); en heb. sea quitado.
- Eclesiastés 12:12 Lit. de la carne.
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