Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

New International Version

The Conclusion of the Matter

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

¹¹The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails^(D)—given by one shepherd.^[a] ¹²Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

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

¹³Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God^(F) and keep his commandments,^(G)
    for this is the duty of all mankind.^(H)
¹⁴For God will bring every deed into judgment,^(I)
    including every hidden thing,^(J)
    whether it is good or evil.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd

Psalm 141

New International Version

Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

¹I call to you, Lord, come quickly^(A) to me;
hear me^(B) when I call to you.
²May my prayer be set before you like incense;^(C)
may the lifting up of my hands^(D) be like the evening sacrifice.^(E)

³Set a guard over my mouth,^(F) Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.^(G)
⁴Do not let my heart^(H) be drawn to what is evil
    so that I take part in wicked deeds^(I)
along with those who are evildoers;
    do not let me eat their delicacies.^(J)

⁵Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me^(K)—that is oil on my head.^(L)
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

⁶Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,^(M)
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
⁷They will say, “As one plows^(N) and breaks up the earth,^(O)
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth^(P) of the grave.”

⁸But my eyes are fixed^(Q) on you, Sovereign Lord;
    in you I take refuge^(R)—do not give me over to death.
⁹Keep me safe^(S) from the traps set by evildoers,^(T)
    from the snares^(U) they have laid for me.
¹⁰Let the wicked fall^(V) into their own nets,
    while I pass by in safety.^(W)