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Poem on Youth and Old Age. [a]Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. However many years mortals may live, let them, as they enjoy them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity.

Rejoice, O youth, while you are young
    and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart,
    the vision of your eyes;
Yet understand regarding all this
    that God will bring you to judgment.
10 Banish misery from your heart
    and remove pain from your body,
    for youth and black hair are fleeting.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 11:7–10 The concluding part of the book opens with a final bittersweet homage to life and an enthusiastic encouragement to rejoice in its gifts while they are within grasp.
  2. 11:10 Fleeting: lit., “vanity.”

Remember Your Creator While Young

Light is sweet,
    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.(A)
However many years anyone may live,
    let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember(B) the days of darkness,
    for there will be many.
    Everything to come is meaningless.

You who are young, be happy while you are young,
    and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
    and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
    God will bring you into judgment.(C)
10 So then, banish anxiety(D) from your heart
    and cast off the troubles of your body,
    for youth and vigor are meaningless.(E)

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