1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near when you shall say, “I have no delight in them”—
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before the sun and the light, and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
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in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the mighty men bend themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;
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and the doors toward the street are shut, when the sound of the grinding becomes low, and one rises at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low;
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also when they fear what is high, and terrors are in the way, and the almond tree blossoms, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails. For Adam goes to his everlasting house, and the mourners go about the streets.
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Before the silver cord is removed, and the golden bowl is broken, and the jar is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is broken at the well;
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and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the ruach returns to Elohim who gave it.
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Vapor of vapors, says Qohelet. Everything is vapor.
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And besides being wise, Qohelet also taught the people knowledge. He weighed, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
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Qohelet sought to find words of delight, and that which was written uprightly— words of truth.
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The words of the wise are like goads, and like firmly driven nails are the collected sayings, given by one Shepherd.
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And beyond these, my son, be warned: of making many sefarim there is no end, and much study is weariness to the flesh.
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The end of the whole matter has been heard: Fear Elohim and guard His commandments, for this is the whole of Adam.
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For Elohim shall bring every work into Judgment, with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.