9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many ^aproverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

11 ^bThe words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one ^cShepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and ^dmuch study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. ^eFear God and keep his commandments, for ^fthis is the whole duty of man.¹