Remember Your Creator While Young

       Light is sweet,

          and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

       However many years a man may live,

          let him enjoy them all.

       But let him remember the days of darkness,

          for they will be many.

          Everything to come is meaningless.

       Be happy, young man, 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 to judgment.

       So then, banish anxiety from your heart

          and cast off the troubles of your body,

          for youth and vigor are meaningless.

       Remember your Creator

          in the days of your youth,

       before the days of trouble come

          and the years approach when you will say,

          "I find no pleasure in them"--

       before the sun and the light

          and the moon and the stars grow dark,

          and the clouds return after the rain;

       when the keepers of the house tremble,

          and the strong men stoop,

       when the grinders cease because they are few,

          and those looking through the windows grow dim;

       when the doors to the street are closed

          and the sound of grinding fades;

       when men rise up at the sound of birds,

          but all their songs grow faint;

       when men are afraid of heights

          and of dangers in the streets;

       when the almond tree blossoms

          and the grasshopper drags himself along

          and desire no longer is stirred.

       Then man goes to his eternal home

          and mourners go about the streets.

       Remember HIM--before the silver cord is severed,

          or the golden bowl is broken;

       before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

          or the wheel broken at the well,

       and the dust returns to the ground it came from,

          and the spirit returns to GOD who gave it.

       "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.

          "Everything is meaningless!"

The Book of Ecclesiastes: chapter 11, verses 7 - 10 & chapter 12, verses 1 - 8