When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
The conclusion of the whole matter is to fear God and keep his commandments.
This verse states the book's final duty plainly.
9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. 10The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth. 11The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd. 12And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. 13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.