Ecclesiastes 12:11-13

Contemporary English Version

¹¹Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from a shepherd,^[a] and they are like nails that fasten things together.^[b] ¹²My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these.

There is no end to books,
and too much study
will wear you out.

¹³Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:

Respect and obey God!
This is what life
is all about.

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Footnotes

12.11 a shepherd: This may be a reference to God as shepherd (see also Psalm 23.1).
12.11 These sayings … together: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.