"Ecclesiastes" (Final) by Qoheleth (in English)

Chapter 11

1 Cast your bread upon the waters; after a long time you may find it again. 2 Make seven or eight portions; you know not what misfortune may come upon the earth. 3 When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, wherever it falls, there shall it lie.

4 One who pays heed to the wind will not sow,

and one who watches the clouds will never reap.

5 Just as you know not how the breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother's womb, So you know not the work of God which he is accomplishing in the universe.

6 In the morning sow your seed,

and at evening let not your hand be idle:

For you know not which of the two will be successful, or whether both alike will turn out well.

7 Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. 8 However many years a man may live, let him, as he enjoys them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity.

9 Rejoice, O young man, while you are young

and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.

Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes;

Yet understand that as regards all this God will bring you to judgment.

10 Ward off grief from your heart and put away trouble

from your presence, though the dawn of youth is fleeting.

Chapter 12

1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come And the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 Before the sun is darkened. and the light, and the moon, and the stars, while the clouds return after the rain;

3 When the guardians of the house tremble,

and the strong men are bent,

and the grinders are idle because they are few,

and they who look through the windows grow blind;

4 When the doors to the street are shut,

and the sound of the mill is low;

when one waits for the chirp of a bird,

but all the daughters of song are suppressed;

5 And one fears heights, and perils in the street;

when the almond tree blooms, and the locust

grows sluggish and the caper berry is without effect,

because man goes to his lasting home,

and mourners go about the streets;

6 Before the silver cord is snapped

and the golden bowl is broken,

and the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

and the broken pulley falls into the well,

7 and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.

8 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity!

9 Besides being wise, Qoheleth taught the people knowledge, and weighed, scrutinized and arranged many proverbs. 10 Qoheleth sought to find pleasing sayings, and to write down true sayings with precision.

11 The sayings of the wise are like goads; like fixed spikes are the topics given by one collector.

12 As to more than these, my son, beware. Of the making of many books there is no end, and in much study there is weariness for the flesh.

13 The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man's all; 14 because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.