12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";
12:1 Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";

12:2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain;
12:2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return with the rain;

12:3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows are dimmed,
12:3 in the day when the guards of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the women who grind cease working because they are few, and those who look through the windows see dimly;

12:4 and the doors on the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low;
12:4 when the doors on the street are shut, and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low;

12:5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails; because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets;
12:5 when one is afraid of heights, and terrors are in the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails; because all must go to their eternal home, and the mourners will go about the streets;

12:6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
12:6 before the silver cord is snapped, and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern,

12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it.

12:8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
12:8 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher; all is vanity.

12:9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging proverbs with great care.
12:9 Besides being wise, the Teacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs.

12:10 The Preacher sought to find pleasing words, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
12:10 The Teacher sought to find pleasing words, and he wrote words of truth plainly.

12:11 The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings which are given by one Shepherd.
12:11 The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings that are given by one shepherd.

12:12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
12:12 Of anything beyond these, my child, beware. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.

12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.