1 - Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" -
2 - before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
3 - when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 - when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
5 - when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
6 - Remember him - before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well,
7 - and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 - "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.
9 - Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10 - The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 - The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails - given by one shepherd.
12 - Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 - Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 - For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.