Ecclesiastes 12
1 memento creatoris tui in diebus iuventutis tuae antequam veniat tempus adflictionis et adpropinquent anni de quibus dicas non mihi placent
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
2 antequam tenebrescat sol et lumen et luna et stellae et revertantur nubes post pluviam
Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
3 quando commovebuntur custodes domus et nutabuntur viri fortissimi et otiosae erunt molentes inminuto numero et tenebrescent videntes per foramina
in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
4 et claudent ostia in platea in humilitate vocis molentis et consurgent ad vocem volucris et obsurdescent omnes filiae carminis
and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
5 excelsa quoque timebunt et formidabunt in via florebit amigdalum inpinguabitur lucusta et dissipabitur capparis quoniam ibit homo in domum aeternitatis suae et circumibunt in platea plangentes
yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be on the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets;
6 antequam rumpatur funis argenteus et recurrat vitta aurea et conteratur hydria super fontem et confringatur rota super cisternam
before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
7 et revertatur pulvis in terram suam unde erat et spiritus redeat ad Deum qui dedit illum
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes omnia vanitas
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity!”
9 cumque esset sapientissimus Ecclesiastes docuit populum et enarravit quae fecerit et investigans conposuit parabolas multas
Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 quaesivit verba utilia et conscripsit sermones rectissimos ac veritate plenos
The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
11 verba sapientium sicut stimuli et quasi clavi in altum defixi quae per magistrorum concilium data sunt a pastore uno
The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 his amplius fili mi ne requiras faciendi plures libros nullus est finis frequensque meditatio carnis adflictio est
Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 finem loquendi omnes pariter audiamus Deum time et mandata eius observa hoc est enim omnis homo
This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
14 et cuncta quae fiunt adducet Deus in iudicium pro omni errato sive bonum sive malum sit
For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
