121 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth , before e e the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say , "I have no delight in them"; 2 before e e the sun and the light , the moon and the stars are darkened , and clouds return after the rain ; 3 in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble , and mighty men stoop , the grinding ones stand idle because they are few , and those who look through windows grow dim ; 4 and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low , and one will arise at the sound of the bird , and all the daughters of song will sing softly . 5 Furthermore , men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road ; the almond tree blossoms , the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective . For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street . 6 Remember Him before e e the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed , the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed ; 7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 " Vanity of vanities ," says the Preacher , "all is vanity !"

The Whole Duty of Man

9 In addition to being a wise man , the Preacher also taught the people knowledge ; and he pondered , searched out and arranged many proverbs . 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly . 11 The words of wise men are like goads , and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails ; they are given by one Shepherd . 12 But beyond this , my son , be warned : the writing of many books is endless e , and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body .

13 The conclusion e , when all has been heard , is: fear God and keep His commandments , because this applies to every person . 14 For God will bring every act to judgment , everything which is hidden , whether it is good or evil .