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12:1  Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the bad times come and the years draw near when you will say, “I take no pleasure in them”;
12:2  before the sun and the light of day give way to darkness, before the moon and the stars grow dim and the clouds return after the rain;
12:3  when the guardians of the house tremble and the strong men are bent over, and the women who grind the meal cease working because they are few in number, and those who look through the windows realize that their eyesight is failing;
12:4  when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of grinding begins to fade, when one waits to hear the chirping of a bird, but all the songbirds are silent;
12:5  when one is afraid of heights and is concerned about dangers on the streets. Remember him—when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper is sluggish and desire is no longer stirred, and you return to your eternal home while the mourners assemble in the streets.
12:6  Remember him—before the silver cord is snapped or the golden bowl is broken or the pitcher is shattered at the spring or the wheel is broken at the well
12:7  and the dust returns to the earth from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
12:8  Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth; all things are vanity.
12:9  In addition to his wisdom, Qoheleth taught the people knowledge, having weighed, studied, and arranged many proverbs.
12:10  Qoheleth sought to express his thoughts in a pleasing way and to convey truths with precision.
12:11  The sayings of the wise are as sharp as goads; like spikes firmly positioned are the lessons offered by a single shepherd.
12:12  In regard to anything beyond these, my child, beware. There is no end to the writing of many books, and extensive study results in a weariness of the flesh.
12:13  This is the end of my teaching. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the responsibility of everyone.