before the silver cord is snapped,[a]
and the gold bowl is broken,(A)
and the jar is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken into the well;
and the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.(B)

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 12:6 Alt Hb tradition reads removed

Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
and the dust returns(A) to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God(B) who gave it.(C)

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[a](D)
    “Everything is meaningless!(E)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:8 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

Read full chapter