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10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words, even to write correctly words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; [a]they are given by one Shepherd.(A) 12 But beyond this my son, [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned: the writing of many books is endless [so do not believe everything you read], and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 This verse establishes the divine inspiration of Ecclesiastes.

10 The Teacher(A) searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.(B)

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd