⁷ The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to ^(A)see the sun. ⁸ Indeed, if a person lives many years, let him ^(B)rejoice in them all; but let him remember the ^(C)days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

⁹ Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the ^[a]impulses of your heart and the ^[b](D)desires of your eyes. Yet know that ^(E)God will bring you to judgment for all these things. ¹⁰ So remove ^[c]sorrow from your heart and keep ^[d](F)pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are ^[e]fleeting.

Remember God in Your Youth

12 ^(G)Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the ^(H)evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; ² before the ^(I)sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; ³ on the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and strong men are ^(J)bent over, the grinders stop working because they are few, and ^(K)those who look through ^[f]windows grow ^[g]dim; ⁴ and the doors on the street are shut as the ^(L)sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the ^(M)daughters of song will ^[h]sing softly. ⁵ Furthermore, people are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal ^(N)home while the ^(O)mourners move around in the street. ⁶ Remember your Creator before the silver cord is ^[i]broken and the ^(P)golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the spring is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; ⁷ then the ^(Q)dust will return to the earth as it was, and the ^[j](R)spirit will return to ^(S)God who gave it. ⁸ “^(T)Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher, “all is futility!”