Ecclesiastes 12 – NIVUK & CCB

New International Version – UK

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

1Remember your Creator

in the days of your youth,

before the days of trouble come

and the years approach when you will say,

‘I find no pleasure in them’ –

2before the sun and the light

and the moon and the stars grow dark,

and the clouds return after the rain;

3when the keepers of the house tremble,

and the strong men stoop,

when the grinders cease because they are few,

and those looking through the windows grow dim;

4when the doors to the street are closed

and the sound of grinding fades;

when people rise up at the sound of birds,

but all their songs grow faint;

5when people are afraid of heights

and of dangers in the streets;

when the almond tree blossoms

and the grasshopper drags itself along

and desire no longer is stirred.

Then people go to their eternal home

and mourners go about the streets.

6Remember him – before the silver cord is severed,

and the golden bowl is broken;

before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

and the wheel broken at the well,

7and the dust returns to the ground it came from,

and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.12:8 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10

‘Everything is meaningless!’

The conclusion of the matter

9Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

11The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails – given by one shepherd.12:11 Or Shepherd 12Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

13Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the duty of all mankind.

14For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.

Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)

传道书 12:1-14

1年轻时要记住你的创造主,不要等到衰老的岁月来临时才哀叹:“我的日子毫无乐趣。” 2那时,太阳、月亮、星星都暗淡无光,雨后乌云再现; 3守卫家园的手脚颤抖,强壮的身躯变得弯腰驼背;牙齿稀少,无法咀嚼;视力衰退,看不清楚; 4耳朵发背,听不到推磨声;小鸟一叫,人就起来;歌声沙哑,不再美妙; 5惧怕高处,走路战战兢兢;头发白如银杏,精力枯竭,欲望荡然无存;人都走向永远的归宿,吊丧的人往来于街上; 6银链断裂,金碗摔坏,泉旁的瓶子破碎,井口的轮子朽烂。 7那时尘土必归于尘土,灵也要归回赐灵的上帝。 8传道者说:“虚空的虚空,一切都是虚空。” 9传道者不但有智慧,还把知识传授给众人。他经过细心推敲和研究之后,编写了许多警世的箴言。 10传道者费尽心思寻找金玉良言,所写的都是正直诚实的道理。 11智者的言语好像赶牛的刺棍,他们收集的箴言像钉稳的钉子一样牢靠,都是一位牧者所赐的。 12我亲爱的儿子,还有一件事,你要听我的忠告:著书多,没有穷尽;读书多,身体疲劳。

13以上所说的,总而言之,就是要敬畏上帝,遵守祂的诫命,这是人的本分。 14因为人一切的行为,无论善恶,包括一切隐秘事,上帝都必审问。