Remove anxiety from your heart, and put away distress from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
For an empty-headed man will become wise, when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.
For You write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the dust.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your lovingkindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Behold, You have made my days as a few handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You. Surely every man at his best is as a mere breath.” Selah
Surely every man walks around like a shadow; surely they make an uproar in vain; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, everything is vanity and like chasing the wind.
“Vanity of vanities,” says Qoheleth, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in these days and years”;
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.