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10 The Teacher tried to find the right words, so that he could show the true meaning of what he wrote. 11 The words of wise people are like sharp sticks that a farmer uses to move his animals along. Their messages are like strong nails in a piece of wood. It is God, our one Shepherd, who gives these messages to us.

A final message

12 My son, I warn you to be careful about any other teaching. There will always be more and more books to read. If you try to study everything, you will be very weak and tired.

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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