Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:8

Remember the One Who Created You

7 Light is sweet.

People enjoy being out in the sun.

8 No matter how many years a man might live,

let him enjoy all of them.

But let him remember the dark days.

There will be many of them.

Nothing that’s going to happen will have any meaning.

9 Young man, be happy while you are still young.

Let your heart be joyful while you are still strong.

Do what your heart tells you to do.

Go after what your eyes look at.

But I want you to know

that God will judge you for everything you do.

10 So drive worry out of your heart.

Get rid of all of your troubles.

Being young and strong doesn’t have any meaning.

12 Remember the One who created you.

Remember him while you are still young.

Think about him before your times of trouble come.

The years will come when you will say,

“I don’t find any pleasure in them.”

2 That’s when the sunlight will become dark.

The moon and the stars will also grow dark.

And the clouds will return after it rains.

3 Remember your Creator before those who guard the house tremble with old age.

That’s when strong men will be bent over.

The women who grind grain will stop because there are so few of them left.

Those who look through the windows won’t be able to see very well.

4 Remember your Creator before the front doors are closed.

That’s when the sound of grinding will fade away.

Old men will rise up when they hear birds singing.

But they will barely hear any of their songs.

5 Remember your Creator before you become afraid of places that are too high.

You will also be terrified because of danger in the streets.

Remember your Creator before the almond trees have buds on them.

That’s when grasshoppers will drag themselves along.

Old men will not want to make love anymore.

Man will go to his dark home in the grave.

And those who sob over the dead will walk around in the streets.

6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is cut.

That’s when the golden bowl will be broken.

The wheel will be broken at the well.

The pitcher will be smashed at the spring.

7 Remember your Creator before you return to the dust you came from.

That’s when your spirit will go back to God who gave it.

8 “Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!”

says the Teacher.

“Nothing has any meaning.”