1Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:

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

3in the day when the guards of the house tremble, and the strong men shall bow down; when the grinders shall cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows shall become dim;

4and the doors shall be shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are bowed down;

5furthermore, they are afraid of what is high, and of low places in the way; and the almond tree blossoms, and the grasshopper becomes a burden, and desire perishes. For man is going to his everlasting home, and the mourners shall go about the streets.

6Remember Him before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the jar shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well,

7and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to Elohim who gave it.

8“Futility! Futility!” said the Qoheleth, “All is futile.”

9And besides being wise, Qoheleth also taught the people knowledge, and he listened and sought out – set in order many proverbs.

10Qoheleth sought to find out words of delight, and words of truth, rightly written.

11The words of the wise are like goads, and as nails driven by the masters of collections – they were given by one Shepherd.

12And besides these, my son, be warned – the making of many books has no end, and much study is a wearying of the flesh.

13Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind!

14For Elohim shall bring every work into right-ruling, including all that is hidden, whether good or whether evil.