Prædikeren 11
1 Kast dit Brød på Vandet, Thi du får det igen, går end lang Tid hen.
Send your bread out on the surface of the water, and many days later you will find it again.
2 Del dit Gods i syv otte Dele, thi du ved ej, hvad ondt der kanske på Jorden.
Share what you own with seven or eight people, for you never know what disaster could happen.
3 Er Skyerne fulde af Regn, så gyder de den ud over Jorden; og falder et Træ mod Syd eller Nord; så bliver det liggende der, hvor det falder.
When the clouds are full they pour rain down upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the north or to the south, it stays where it fell.
4 Man får aldrig sået, når man kigger efter Vinden, og aldrig høstet, når man ser efter Skyerne.
The farmer who pays attention to the direction of the wind knows when not to sow, and by watching the clouds knows when not to reap.
5 Som du ikke kender Vindens Vej eller Fostret i Moders Liv, så kender du ej heller Guds Virke, han, som virker alt.
Just as you don't know how the breath of life comes to the child in its mother's womb, so you can't understand the work of God, the Creator of everything.
6 Så din Sæd ved Gry og lad Hånden ej hvile ved Kvæld; thi du ved ej, om dette eller hint vil lykkes, eller begge Dele er lige gode.
In the morning, sow your seed. In the evening, don't stop. For you have no way of knowing which crop will grow well—one may be profitable, or the other—or maybe both.
7 Lyset er lifligt, at skue Solen er godt for Øjnene;
How sweet it is to live in the light, to see the sun rise on another day.
8 ja, lever et Menneske mange År, skal han glæde sig over dem alle og komme Mørkets Dage i Hu, thi af dem er der mange i Vente; alt, hvad der kommer, er Tomhed.
May you live for many years, and may you enjoy them all. But remember there will many days of darkness, and all that is to come is uncertain.
9 Glæd dig, Yngling, i din Ungdom, vær vel til Mode i Livets Vår; gå, hvor dit Hjerte lyster, og nyd, hvad dit Øje skuer; men vid, at for alle disse Ting skal du kræves til Regnskab af Gud.
Young people, enjoy your youth! Be happy with what's good! While you're young, let your mind guide your life, and do as you think best. But remember that God will judge you for all your thoughts and actions.
10 Slå Mismod ud af dit Sind, hold Sygdom fjernt fra din Krop; thi Ungdom og Livsgry er Tomhed!
So don't let your mind worry, and avoid things that hurt your body. Even so, despite youth and enthusiasm, life is still so hard to understand!
