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11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd[a] drives the sheep.

12 But, my child,[b] let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.

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Footnotes

  1. 12:11 Or one shepherd.
  2. 12:12 Hebrew my son.

11 The words of the wise are like cattle goads; the collections of the sages are like pricks inflicted by one shepherd.[a] 12 My son, be careful about anything beyond these things.[b] For the writing of books is endless, and too much study is wearisome.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or “The owner of collections are given by one shepherd”
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:12 Literally “but from more than them”
  3. Ecclesiastes 12:12 Literally “increases weariness of flesh”