Ecclesiastes 12:11-13

New American Standard Bible 1995

¹¹The ^(A)words of wise men are like ^(B)goads, and masters of these collections are like ^[a]well-driven ^(C)nails; they are given by one Shepherd. ¹²But beyond this, my son, be warned: the ^[b]writing of ^(D)many books is endless, and excessive ^(E)devotion to books is wearying to the body.

¹³The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: ^(F)fear God and ^(G)keep His commandments, because this applies to ^(H)every person.

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Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 12:11 Lit planted
Ecclesiastes 12:12 Lit making

Ecclesiastes 12:11-13

New International Version

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

¹³Now 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)