Ecclesiastes 12

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years say, I draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun. or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain;

3 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 that look out of the windows be darkened.

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low:

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets;

6 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.

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

8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words; and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished; of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET AIAH. I. Judaic rebellion — Promises and threatenings, THE vision of ISAIAH. I 12 When ye come to appear before I me, who hath required this at your I hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations: incense is an abomination unto me; the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land;

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 21

21 How is the faithful city become a harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water;

23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rej wards; they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

24 Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge ine of mine enemies.

25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin;

26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as