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11 Sayings of wise men are like cattle prods, and those sayings collected by experts are like firmly fixed nails, given by one Shepherd.

12 My son, beware of anything in addition to these. There is no end of making many books, and much study wears out the body.

13 This is the conclusion of the matter. Everything has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments. For mankind, this is everything.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Or this applies to everyone

11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails(A)—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.(B)

13 Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God(C) and keep his commandments,(D)
    for this is the duty of all mankind.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd