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Ecclesiastes

Questions the meaning of life and the value of worldly pursuits, concluding that fearing God is important.

Chapter 12

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1 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;

*Remember your Creator while you're young, before bad times arrive and you don't enjoy what's happening.

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

*As long as the sun, light, moon, and stars are shining clearly, and the clouds don't come back after it rains.

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,

*When the house guardians shake with fear, powerful men bend over, grain mills stop due to scarcity, and window watchers become shadowy,

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;

*The doors will close on the streets when grinding noise is quiet. He will wake up when he hears a bird's voice, and all music girls will be humbled.

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:

*Also when people are scared of tall things and have many fears, and the almond tree blooms, and grasshoppers become a problem, and desires disappear: this happens because people are going to their eternal resting place, and those who mourn walk around the city.

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.

*Before the silver rope becomes loose, or the gold bowl breaks, or the jar shatters near the water source, or the wheel cracks at the water storage place.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

*Then, the body will go back to the ground, just like before: and the soul will return to God, who originally gave it.

8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

*"Vanity of vanities," says the teacher, "everything is meaningless."

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.

*So, not only was the teacher smart, but he also shared important information with the people. He carefully looked for and organized a lot of wise sayings.

10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

*The preacher looked for good words to say and found honest, true words in writing.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

*The wise person's words are like sharp tools used by leaders to guide people, coming from one main leader.

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.

*So, my son, remember this: there are endless amounts of books out there, and studying too much can make your body tired.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

*Let's listen to the main point: Worship God and follow his rules because this is what people should do.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

*God will judge all actions, including hidden things, whether they are good or bad.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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