Ecclesiastes 12:13

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.

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.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
WEB
This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
ASV
[This is] the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole [duty] of man.
DARBY
Let us hear the end of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man.
BLB
The conclusion of the whole of matter has been heard. You shall fear God and keep His commandments—for this [is] [is] the whole of the man.
ÅB
Enden på det hele, etter at alt er hørt, er dette: Frykt Gud og hold hans bud! Det er hva hvert menneske bør gjøre.
OTB
Nå er alt blitt hørt; her er konklusjonen av saken: frykt Gud og hold Hans bud, for dette er alle menneskers plikt.
B1930
Enden på det hele, efterat alt er hørt, er dette: Frykt Gud og hold hans bud! Det er hvad hvert menneske bør gjøre.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 10:12

    And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

    Read in context
  • Micah 6:8

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 6:2

    That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 111:10–112:1

    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 145:19

    He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

    Read in context
  • Job 28:28

    And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:50

    And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 8:12

    Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

    Read in context