The End of the Matter

The last chapter begins with a call to young people: Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, I have no pleasure in them. The best time to follow God is now. The Preacher then paints old age in a poem, where the sun and the stars grow dark and the strong men bow. In the end, the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

The Preacher says one last time, Vanity of vanities. Then the book describes him: because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs. He sought to find out acceptable words, words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, guiding people the right way.

The book ends with its answer: 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. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil. Life under the sun alone is vanity, but life lived for God has meaning.