before the silver cord is snapped,[a]
and the gold bowl is broken,(A)
and the jar is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken into the well;
and the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.(B)

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 12:6 Alt Hb tradition reads removed

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