CHAPTER 12
Remember
your Creator
in the days
of your youth,
before
the days
of adversity
come,
and the years
approach
of which
you will say,
“I find no
pleasure in them,”
on the day
the keepers
of the house
tremble,
and the strong
men
stoop,
when those grinding
cease
because
they are few,
and those watching
through windows
see dimly,
when the doors
to the street
are shut
and the sound
of the mill
fades away,
when one rises
at the sound
of a bird,
and all
the daughters
of song
grow faint,
when
men fear
the heights
and dangers
of the road,
when the almond tree
blossoms,
the grasshopper
loses its spring,
and the caper berry
shrivels—
for then
man
goes
to
his eternal
home,
and mourners
walk
the streets.
Remember Him before
the silver
cord
is snapped,
and the golden
bowl
is crushed,
before the pitcher
is shattered
at
the spring,
and the wheel
is broken
at
the well,
before the dust
returns
to
the ground
from which it came,
and the spirit
returns
to
God
who
gave it.
Not only
was
the Teacher
wise,
but he also
taught
the people
knowledge;
he pondered,
searched out,
and arranged
many
proverbs.
The words
of the wise
are like goads,
and the anthologies
of the masters
are like firmly embedded
nails
driven
by a single
Shepherd.
But beyond
these,
my son,
be warned:
There is no
end
to the making
of many
books,
and much
study
wearies
the body.
When all
has been heard,
the conclusion
of the matter is this:
Fear
God
and
keep
His commandments,
because
this is
the whole
duty of man.
For
God
will bring
every
deed
into judgment,
along with
every hidden
thing,
whether
good
or
evil.