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. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the [b]writing of (D)many books is endless, and excessive (E)study is [c]wearying to the body.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 I.e., spiked sticks for driving cattle
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:12 Lit making
  3. Ecclesiastes 12:12 Lit weariness

11 The words of the sages are like prods,[a]
and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails;
they are given by one shepherd.

Concluding Exhortation: Fear God and Obey His Commands

12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.[b]
There is no end to the making[c] of many books,
and much study is exhausting to the body.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 tn Or “goads”; NCV “sharp sticks used to guide animals.” For further information see M. A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation, 29-32.
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:12 sn The exhortation may be understood in two ways: (1) to avoid any so-called wisdom sayings beyond those mentioned in vv. 10-11: “The words of the wise…are given from one shepherd. And of anything beyond these, my son, be warned!” (see RSV, NRSV, NAB, Douay, NIV). This is paraphrased well by Moffatt: “My son, avoid anything beyond the scriptures of wisdom” (Moffatt). (2) The exhortation refers to the concerns of v. 12b, namely, diligent study is wearisome, i.e., “Furthermore, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of books, and much study is wearisome to the body” (see NEB, ASV, NASB, MLB).
  3. Ecclesiastes 12:12 tn The verb עָשָׂה (ʿasah, “to do”) may mean “to make” (HALOT 890 s.v. I עשׂה 3) or “to acquire” (HALOT 891 s.v. I עשׂה 6). The LXX rendered it as ποιῆσαι (poiēsai, “making”), as do most English versions: “making” (KJV, YLT, RSV, NRSV, NAB, ASV, MLB, NIV, NJPS). However, several English versions reflect a different nuance: “there is no end to the buying of books” (Moffatt); “the use of books is endless” (NEB); and “the writing of many books is endless” (NASB).
  4. Ecclesiastes 12:12 tn Heb “the flesh.” The term בָּשָׂר (basar, “flesh”) refers to the body, functioning as a synecdoche or part (i.e., flesh, skin) for the whole (i.e., body), e.g., Gen 17:13; Ps 16:9; Prov 14:30 (see E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 642).