1. Keep 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.”
2. Some day the light of the sunand the moon and the starswill all seem dim to you.Rain clouds will remainover your head.
3. Your body will grow feeble,your teeth will decay,and your eyesight fail.
4. The noisy grinding of grainwill be shut outby your deaf ears,but even the song of a birdwill keep you awake.
5. You will be afraidto climb up a hillor walk down a road.Your hair will turn as whiteas almond blossoms.You will feel lifelessand drag alonglike an old grasshopper.We each go to our eternal home,and the streets are filledwith those who mourn.
6. The silver cord snaps,the golden bowl breaks;the water pitcher is smashed,and the pulley at the wellis shattered.
7. So our bodies returnto the earth,and the life-giving breathreturns to God.
8. Nothing makes sense.I have seen it all—nothing makes sense.
9. I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied.
10. Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way.
11. Words 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. My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these.There is no end to books,and too much studywill wear you out.
13. Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:Respect and obey God!This is what lifeis all about.
14. God will judgeeverything we do,even what is done in secret,whether good or bad.