And remember your Creators in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years arrive of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'

Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain.

On the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the men of strength become bent, and the grinders stop because they are few, and those who look through the windows grow dim.

And the doors in the street are shut, with the sound of the grinding low, and one rises at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low.

Also from heights they fear, and terrors are in the way, and the almond tree blossoms, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry bursts, because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners walk around in the street.

Before the silver cord is snapped, and the golden bowl is broken, and the jar is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is crushed at the cistern.

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to יהוה who gave it.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

And because the Preacher was wise, he still taught knowledge to the people, and weighed and searched out and arranged many proverbs.

The Preacher sought to find pleasing words, and what is written is upright words of truth.

The words of the wise are like goads, and like firmly planted nails, given by one shepherd.

And beyond these, my son, be warned; of making many books there is no end, and much study is weariness of the flesh.

The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear יהוה and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

For יהוה will bring every deed into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.