Ecclesiastes 11:9
What is written? (ESV)
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
What does it say?
Have fun and enjoy your youth, doing what seems good to you while remembering that God will bring all your actions into judgment.
What is its immediate context?
A book of wisdom from “the Preacher” (many believe to be Solomon). The very wise and wealthy “Preacher”, having done all things “under the sun”, shares his treatise on life and worldly pursuits – it is all vanity.
How Ecclesiastes 11:9 is applied across Bible answers
Should you follow your heart?
The young should exercise their God-given exuberance for life and fun -- following their heart in a sense -- but always remembering that God will judge them for their actions.
Within the context of Ecclesiastes, it's clear that the author's entire point is that all aspects of life are vanity when outside of the care and control of God. For the young, he counsels them to make the most out of their youth while "Remember[ing] also your Creator in the days of your youth" (12:1).
