Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Teacher’s Objectives and Conclusion

⁹ In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. ¹⁰ The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. ¹¹ The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.^[a]

¹² But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. ¹³ When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all^[b] humanity. ¹⁴ For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.