And the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to hear, and searched forth, and prepared many parables.

10 The Preacher sought to find out pleasant words, and an upright writing, even the words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails [a]fastened by the masters of the assemblies, which are given by one [b]pastor.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Which are well applied by the ministers, whom he calleth masters.
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:11 That is, by God.

The Conclusion of the Matter

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.(A) 10 The Teacher(B) searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.(C)

11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails(D)—given by one shepherd.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd