Let your mind be turned to your Maker in the days of your strength, while the evil days come not, and the years are far away when you will say, I have no pleasure in them;

For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;

Do not keep in mind my sins when I was young, or my wrongdoing: let your memory of me be full of mercy, O Lord, because of your righteousness.

Seeing then that all these things are coming to such an end, what sort of persons is it right for you to be, in all holy behaviour and righteousness,

And put

His bones are full of young strength, but it will go down with him into the dust.

Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.

But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.

For

All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.

You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah.)

Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.

General references

All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.