Rejoice: see comments on 2.1-2; 2.12. The imperative is directed to the group Qoheleth describes in the singular as young man. The term parallels the word “young woman” in Deut 32.35. Although the form is singular it carries a collective meaning, including all young persons likely to read the book.

In your youth is parallel and complementary to the term “young man,” being from the same root. The phrase in Hebrew begins with the preposition b- in, and as it stands it is ambiguous. It can be analyzed as a time phrase, meaning “while you are still a youth,” or it can be a special form, verb-plus-preposition, meaning “rejoice in the fact you are young.” Good News Translation shows a preference for this latter interpretation, with “enjoy your youth.” However, Qoheleth has never made this point before. He generally encourages everyone to enjoy life. Furthermore there is a time clause in the next parallel line, suggesting that this first phrase is a time expression. Under these circumstances we take the time sense as being the most appropriate to the context. So for translation we suggest “enjoy life while you are young.”

And let your heart cheer you is literally “and let your heart [mind] be good.” The verb “be good” in Qoheleth usually relates to the theme of enjoyment. However, we note that the pleasure spoken of is in the mind or heart (lev), so we should not misunderstand Qoheleth. He does not advocate mere entertainment but that kind of joy that satisfies the intellectual as well as other aspects of life. See other comments on heart in 7.25. Good News Translation “be happy” seems quite acceptable.

In the days of your youth means the same as the previous time phrase. We can render it as “while you are [still] young,” as in Good News Translation and New American Bible.

Walk in the ways of your heart: this is the first of four imperatives that support and explain the meaning of the theme verb “rejoice.” In this context walk carries its extended meaning of “living a certain style of life.” That lifestyle is described here as the ways of your heart. The noun ways has the concrete sense of “road, path,” as well as the figurative meaning “a way of life.” We are familiar with the word heart or mind, as Qoheleth uses it frequently. It identifies where our intellectual activity and emotions reside. The present clause clearly has a figurative sense, so we see Qoheleth calling us to allow our mind to be fully active in guiding life’s decisions. Jerusalem Bible “follow the promptings of your heart” comes close to the meaning, though it may emphasize feelings more than will and intellect. A more natural way of expressing the idea may be “Think through what you will do and then do it.” When Good News Translation suggests “Do what you want to do,” it can be taken to mean that you can and should do whatever you wish, regardless of its importance and value. New English Bible, New American Bible, and other translations are similar. Of course this is what the text says on the surface, but we must not neglect the context; Qoheleth really advocates using our minds to determine the wisest lifestyle. We can translate this emphasis as “Live as your mind guides you” or “let your mind guide your life.”

And [in] the sight of your eyes: linked with the inner wisdom is the more practical side, the sight of your eyes. The phrase is used in 6.9, so see comments there. We are aware of how often Qoheleth uses the verb “see,” meaning he observed things carefully so as to learn more about life. Against this background Qoheleth’s call is for his students to do the same thing, to carefully observe what happens in the world around them. From those observations they too can learn. This is a much more appropriate sense than Good News Translation “follow your heart’s desire.” It is important that our translation allow readers to form a positive opinion of Qoheleth’s advice, and not give the impression that he thinks that whatever a person wants to do is acceptable, or that it doesn’t matter.

Here again we are dealing with parallel phrases, which can be rendered by separate expressions or combined into one.

Translation models for this second clause can be:

• Live as your mind directs you, and do as you see best.

• Think and observe carefully how you should live your life.

But know that for all these things: a second imperative calls the reader to greater awareness. Jerusalem Bible puts it well: “But this you must know.” The initial Hebrew conjunction is rendered in almost all versions as a contrastive “But.” In translating the verb know, we should note that its sense here differs from that in verses 5-6. Here it means something like “be aware,” “don’t forget.” For reflects a Hebrew preposition that may also be translated “on the basis of,” as it sets out the basis for the following judgment. This aspect is not so clear in Good News Translation “for whatever you do.” New American Bible suggests “as regards all this….”

We presume the phrase all these things refers back to the items mentioned in the first half of the verse, namely, ways and sight. It seems to include both the thought processes and the actions that these thoughts motivate. “Everything you do” may be too narrow a translation. A better solution may be to say “your thoughts and actions,” “your thoughts, desires, and actions,” or more generally, “how you live your life.”

God will bring you into judgment indicates that the wise person must consider how God will view things. Here Qoheleth calls on his students to follow wise instruction because at some point God will pass judgment upon them and the lives they lead. This is the same thought as found in the final verse of the book, a verse attributed to a final editor. The awkward English of Revised Standard Version (bring you into judgment), which renders the Hebrew literally, can be simply expressed as “God will judge you” or “God will call you to account” (New English Bible).

Translation suggestions for the last part of the verse are:

• Don’t forget that, on the basis of all these, God will judge you.

• Be aware that, on the basis of how you live, God will pass judgment on you.

• But know this for sure: God will call you to account for [or, judge you on the basis of] all your thoughts and actions.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .