12:8 “Absolutely futile!” 1 laments the Teacher, 2
“All of these things 3 are futile!” 4
12:9 Not only was the Teacher wise, 5
but he also taught knowledge to the people;
he carefully evaluated 6 and arranged 7 many proverbs.
12:10 The Teacher sought to find delightful 8 words,
and to write 9 accurately truthful sayings. 10
12:11 The words of the sages are like prods, 11
and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails;
they are given by one shepherd.
12:12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. 12
There is no end to the making 13 of many books,
and much study is exhausting to the body. 14
12:13 Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: 15
Fear God and keep his commandments,
because this is the whole duty 16 of man.
12:14 For God will evaluate every deed, 17
including every secret thing, whether good or evil.