Eklesiastes 12
1 Paruru jachwechu kapod utindo, kendo kapok ndalo mag chandruok obiro, ma ubiro wachoe niya, “Onge gima tinde bernwa e piny.”
Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:
2 Mano en ndalo ma wangʼ chiengʼ, dwe kod sulwe lokore mudho, kendo angʼwengʼo kwako piny bangʼ ka koth osechwe.
Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:
3 Jorito makonyou koro tetni, jou maroteke koro gumbo, rego biro chungʼ nikech jorego nok, kendo wengeu biro lokore boo ma ok unyal neno maber.
When the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall stagger, and the grinders shall be idle in a small number, and they that look through the holes shall be darkened:
4 Dhorangeye momanyore gi wangʼ yore nolor kendo koko mar rego ok nowinjre maber; kendo kata mana ywak winy machiewou e nindo ok unuwinji.
And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder’s voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf.
5 Ji noluor kuonde motingʼore gi malo kendo wuoth nobednigi matek e wangʼ yore. Maua mar oyungu thiewo kendo ongogo lak mondo odhi ocham it yien-no, to oyudo ka it yien-no onge gi ndhandhu. Kamano e kaka dhano dhiyo e dalane mosiko ka joywak to dengo e wangʼ yore.
And they shall fear high things, and they shall be afraid in the way, the almond tree shall flourish, the locust shall be made fat, and the caper tree shall be destroyed: because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall go round about in the street.
6 Paruru jachwechu kapod utindo, kendo pok ndalo mar chandruok obiro e piny. Kik urit nyaka ubed joma onge paro gi rieko, kata teko mar timo gimoro,
Before the silver cord be broken, and the golden fillet shrink back, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern,
7 e kinde ma lowo dok kuom lowo, to chuny dok ir Nyasaye mane ochweye.
And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it.
8 Emomiyo an jayalo awacho niya, “Ngima en gima nono! Gik moko duto onge tiendgi!”
Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity.
9 Nikech jayalo ne riek, nopuonjo ji gik moko duto mane ongʼeyo. Noparo matut kendo omanyo mi ochano ngeche mangʼeny kaka owinjore.
And whereas Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and declared the things that he had done: and seeking out, he set forth many parables.
10 Jayalo nomenyo mana mondo oyud weche makare, kendo gima nondiko noriere tir kendo adiera.
He sought profitable words, and wrote words most right, and full of truth.
11 Weche joma riek jiwo mondo omi giti; to wechego kochoki to chalo gi ludh jokwadh makwayo rombe kata musmal mogur matek. Nyasaye ma jakwadhwa achiel kende ema osechiwo wechego.
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails deeply fastened in, which by the counsel of masters are given from one shepherd.
12 Koro wuoda nitiere gimoro machielo ma bende onego ingʼe. Tich ndiko kitepe ok norum kendo somo mangʼeny biro olo pachi.
More than these, my son, require not. Of making many books there is no end: and much study is an affliction of the flesh.
13 Gik moko duto koro osewinji, omiyo koro ma e wach mogik: Luor Nyasaye kendo rit chikene nimar ma e tich mane omi dhano.
Let us all hear together the conclusion of the discourse. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is all man:
14 Nimar Nyasaye biro ngʼado bura ni tich moro amora, kaachiel gi gimoro amora mopondo, bed ni ober kata orach.
And all things that are done, God will bring into judgment for every error, whether it be good or evil.
