Ecclesiastes/Qohelet 12

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:	1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the time of affliction arrives and the years draw near, about which you will say, “These do not please me.”
2 Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:	2 Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,
3 When the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall stagger, and the grinders shall be idle in a small number, and they that look through the holes shall be darkened:	3 when the guardians of the house will tremble, and the strongest men will waver, and those who grind grain will be idle, except for a small number, and those who look through the keyholes will be darkened.
4 And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder's voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf.	4 And they will close the doors to the street, when the voice of he who grinds the grain will be humbled, and they will be disturbed at the sound of a flying thing, and all the daughters of song shall become deaf.
5 And they shall fear high things, and they shall be afraid in the way, the almond tree shall flourish, the locust shall be made fat, and the caper tree shall be destroyed: because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall go round about in the street.	5 Likewise, they will fear the things above them, and they will dread the way. The almond tree will flourish; the locust will be fattened; and the caper plant will scattered, because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall wander around in the street.
6 Before the silver cord be broken, and the golden fillet shrink back, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern,	6 Before the silver cord is broken, and the golden band pulls away, and the pitcher is crushed over the fountain, and the wheel is broken above the cistern,
7 And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it.	7 and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it.
8 Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity.	8 Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all is vanity!
9 And whereas Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and declared the things that he had done: and seeking out, he set forth many parables.	9 And since Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and he described what he had accomplished. And while searching, he composed many parables.
10 He sought profitable words, and wrote words most right, and full of truth.	10 He sought useful words, and he wrote most righteous words, which were full of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails deeply fastened in, which by the counsel of masters are given from one shepherd.	11 The words of the wise are like a goad, and like nails deeply fastened, which, through the counsel of teachers, are set forth by one pastor.
12 More than these, my son, require not. Of making many books there is no end: and much study is an affliction of the flesh.	12 You should require no more than this, my son. For there is no end to the making of many books. And excessive study is an affliction to the flesh.
13 Let us all hear together the conclusion of the discourse. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is all man:	13 Let us all listen together to the end of the discourse. Fear God, and observe his commandments. This is everything for man.
14 And all things that are done, God will bring into judgment for every error, whether it be good or evil.	14 And so, for all that is done and for each error, God will bring judgment: whether it was good or evil.