📖 Ecclesiastes — Chapter 12 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 RRemember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Ecclesiastes 12:2 While Rthe sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
Ecclesiastes 12:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the Rstrong men shall bow themselves, and Tthe grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
Ecclesiastes 12:4 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 Rall the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
Ecclesiastes 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and Rthe 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:
Ecclesiastes 12:6 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.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the Rdust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:8 RVanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 And Tmoreover, because the preacher was wise, Rhe still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 The Rpreacher sought to find out Tacceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are Ras goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further, Rby these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much Tstudy is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 TLet us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: RFear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 12:1–5 — Remember the Creator before decline
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The poem’s dimming light, trembling household, and fading desire picture aging and approaching death. The call is to remember the Creator while opportunity remains.
Key Truth: Remember your Creator now.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the ____ days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou …” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “In the day when the ____ of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall …” (Ecclesiastes 12:3)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:3 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Also when they shall be ____ of that which is high, and fears shall be in …” (Ecclesiastes 12:5)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 12:6–10 — Mortality and truthful teaching
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Broken cord and bowl mark life’s ending; dust and spirit return to their sources. The Preacher’s searching aims at truthful words rather than mere attractive invention.
Key Truth: Receive truthful teaching in a mortal life.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Or ever the ____ cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or …” (Ecclesiastes 12:6)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:6 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 12:8)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:8 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “The preacher sought to find out acceptable ____ : and that which was written was upright, even words …” (Ecclesiastes 12:10)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 12:11–14 — The whole duty and final judgment
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Wise words guide and fasten understanding, yet endless study can weary. The conclusion commands fearing God and keeping his commandments, with every hidden work brought into judgment.
Key Truth: Revere God and keep his commandments.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “The ____ of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened …” (Ecclesiastes 12:11)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:11 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: ____ God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole …” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For God shall bring every work into ____ , with every secret thing, whether it be good, or …” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 12:14 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
2 Corinthians 5:10 — Human conduct is accountable before Christ.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What obedience should follow your study of this book?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why remember the Creator during youth?
2. What two returns conclude the description of mortality?
3. What standard governs the Preacher’s sought words?
4. What do goads and fastened nails suggest about wise words?
5. How does the closing judgment extend the call to fear God?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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