1Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don't enjoy life any more.”

2Some day the light of the sun

and the moon and the stars

will all seem dim to you.

Rain clouds will remain

over your head.

3Your body will grow feeble,

your teeth will decay,

and your eyesight fail.

4The noisy grinding of grain

will be shut out

by your deaf ears,

but even the song of a bird

will keep you awake.

5You will be afraid

to climb up a hill

or walk down a road.

Your hair will turn as white

as almond blossoms.

You will feel lifeless

and drag along

like an old grasshopper.

We each go to our eternal home,

and the streets are filled

with those who mourn.

6The silver cord snaps,

the golden bowl breaks;

the water pitcher is smashed,

and the pulley at the well

is shattered.

7So our bodies return

to the earth,

and the life-giving breath12.7 life-giving breath: Or “spirit”.

returns to God.

8Nothing makes sense.

I have seen it all—

nothing makes sense.

Respect and obey God

9I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied. 10Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way.

11Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from God, our only shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together.12.11 These sayings…together: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. 12My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these.

There is no end to books,

and too much study

will wear you out.

13Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:

Respect and obey God!

This is what life

is all about.

14God will judge

everything we do,

even what is done in secret,

whether good or bad.