Dual Panel1So remember <02142> your Creator <01254> in the days <03117> of your youth <0979>– before <03808> <0834> <05704> the difficult <07451> days <03117> come <0935>, and the years <08141> draw <05060> near when <0834> you will say <0559>, “I have no <0369> pleasure <02656> in them”;
2before the sun <08121> and the light <0216> of the moon <03394> and the stars <03556> grow dark <02821>, and the clouds <05645> disappear <07725> after <0310> the rain <01653>;
3when <03117> those who keep watch <08104> over the house <01004> begin to tremble <02111>, and the virile <02428> men <0376> begin to stoop over <05791>, and the grinders <02912> begin to cease <0988> because <03588> they grow few <04592>, and those who look <07200> through the windows <0699> grow dim <02821>,
4and the doors <01817> along the street <07784> are shut <05462>; when the sound <06963> of the grinding <02913> mill grows low <08217>, and one is awakened <06965> by the sound <06963> of a bird <06833>, and all <03605> their songs <07892> grow faint <07817>,
5and <01571> they are afraid <03372> of heights <01364> and the dangers <02849> in the street <01870>; the almond blossoms <08247> grow white <05006>, and the grasshopper <02284> drags itself along <05445>, and the caper berry <035> shrivels <06565> up– because <03588> man <0120> goes <01980> to <0413> his eternal <05769> home <01004>, and the mourners <05594> go about <05437> in the streets <07784>–
6before <03808> <05704> the silver <03701> cord <02256> is removed <07368>, or the golden <02091> bowl <01543> is broken <07533>, or the pitcher <03537> is shattered <07665> at <05921> the well <04002>, or the water wheel <01534> is broken <07533> at <0413> the cistern <0953>–
7and the dust <06083> returns <07725> to <05921> the earth <0776> as it was <01961>, and the life’s breath <07307> returns <07725> to <0413> God <0430> who <0834> gave <05414> it.
8“Absolutely <01892> futile <01892>!” laments <0559> the Teacher <06953>, “All <03605> of these things are futile <01892>!”
9Not only <03148> was <01961> the Teacher <06953> wise <02450>, but he also <05750> taught <03925> knowledge <01847> to the people <05971>; he carefully evaluated <02713> <0238> and arranged <08626> many <07235> proverbs <04912>.
10The Teacher <06953> sought <01245> to find <04672> delightful <02656> words <01697>, and to write <03789> accurately <03476> truthful <0571> sayings <01697>.
11The words <01697> of the sages <02450> are like prods <01861>, and the collected <0627> sayings are like firmly fixed <05193> nails <04930>; they are given <05414> by one <0259> shepherd <07462>.
12Be warned <02094>, my son <01121>, of anything in addition <03148> to them <01992>. There is no <0369> end <07093> to the making <06213> of many <07235> books <05612>, and much <07235> study <03854> is exhausting <03024> to the body <01320>.
13Having heard <08085> everything <03605> <01697>, I have reached this conclusion <05490>: Fear <03372> God <0430> and keep <08104> his commandments <04687>, because <03588> this <02088> is the whole <03605> duty of man <0120>.
14For <03588> God <0430> will evaluate <04941> <0935> every <03605> deed <04639>, including every <03605> secret <05956> thing, whether <0518> good <02896> or <0518> evil <07451>.