| Berean Study Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,” | 1So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; |
| 2before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain, | 2before the sun and the light are darkened, and the moon and the stars, and the clouds return after the rain; |
| 3on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly, | 3on the day when the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, the women who grind grain cease because they are few, and the ones who watch through the windows see dimly, |
| 4when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint, | 4the doors at the street are shut while the sound of the mill fades; when one rises at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song grow faint. |
| 5when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets. | 5Also, they are afraid of heights and dangers on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry has no effect; for the mere mortal is headed to his eternal home, and mourners will walk around in the street; |
| 6Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well, | 6before the silver cord is snapped, and the gold bowl is broken, and the jar is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is broken into the well; |
| 7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. | 7and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. |
| 8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!” | 8"Absolute futility," says the Teacher. "Everything is futile." |
| 9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. | 9In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. |
| 10The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth. | 10The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. |
| 11The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd. | 11The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd. |
| 12And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. | 12But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. |
| 13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. | 13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. |
| 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil. | 14For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. |
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