It is better to go to a house of mourning
    than to go to a house of feasting,
for death(A) is the destiny(B) of everyone;
    the living should take this to heart.
Frustration is better than laughter,(C)
    because a sad face is good for the heart.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
    but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.(D)
It is better to heed the rebuke(E) of a wise person
    than to listen to the song of fools.
Like the crackling of thorns(F) under the pot,
    so is the laughter(G) of fools.
    This too is meaningless.

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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.(A)

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12 Remember(A) your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble(B) come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—

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