Ecclesiastes 3:10

3:10 I have observed the burden

that God has given to people ¹  to keep them occupied.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was,

and the life’s breath ²  returns to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:11

12:11 The words of the sages are like prods, ³ 

and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails;

they are given by one shepherd.

[3:10]  ¹ tn Heb “the sons of man.”

[12:7]  ² tn Or “spirit.” The likely referent is the life’s breath that originates with God. See Eccl 3:19, as well as Gen 2:7; 6:17; 7:22.

[12:11]  ³ tn Or “goads”; NCV “sharp sticks used to guide animals.” For further information see M. A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation, 29–32.