Ecclesiastes 12 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

Remember God in Your Youth

1Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say, “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”;

2before the sun and the light, and the moon and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;

3in the day when the keepers of the house (hands, arms) tremble, and the strong men (feet, knees) bow themselves, and the grinders (molar teeth) cease because they are few, and those (eyes) who look through the windows grow dim;

4when the doors (lips) are shut in the streets and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises at the sound of a bird and the crowing of a rooster, and all the daughters of music (voice, ears) sing softly.

5Furthermore, they are afraid of a high place and of dangers on the road; the almond tree (hair) blossoms, and the grasshopper (a little thing) is a burden, and the caperberry (desire, appetite) fails. For man goes to his eternal home and the mourners go about the streets and market places.

6Earnestly remember your Creator before the silver cord is broken, or the golden bowl is crushed, or the pitcher at the fountain is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed;

7then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity (futility).”

Purpose of the Preacher

9Furthermore, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and searched out and arranged many proverbs.

10The Preacher sought to find delightful words, even to write correctly words of truth.

11The words of the wise are like goads, and these collected sayings are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

12But beyond this my son,, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.

13When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.

14For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.