A reading from
the Book of Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8
Rejoice, O young man, 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 that as regards all this/ God will bring you to judgment./ Ward off grief from your heart/ and put away trouble from your presence,/ though the dawn of youth is fleeting.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,/ before the evil days come/ And the years approach of which you will say,/ I have no pleasure in them;/ Before the sun is darkened,/ and the light, and the moon, and the stars,/ while the clouds return after the rain;/ When the guardians of the house tremble,/ and the strong men are bent,/ And the grinders are idle because they are few,/ and they who look through the windows grow blind;/ When the doors to the street are shut,/ and the sound of the mill is low;/ When one waits for the chirp of a bird,/ but all the daughters of song are suppressed;/ And one fears heights,/ and perils in the street;/ When the almond tree blooms,/ and the locust grows sluggish/ and the caper berry is without effect,/ Because man goes to his lasting home,/ and mourners go about the streets;/ Before the silver cord is snapped/ and the golden bowl is broken,/ And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,/ and the broken pulley falls into the well,/ And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,/ and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,/ all things are vanity!
The word of the Lord.
