Ecclesiastes 11

1 Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.

Cast thy bread upon the running waters: for after a long time thou shalt find it again.

2 Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3 If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.

If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth. If the tree fall to the south, or to the north, in what place soever it shall fall, there shall it be.

4 He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.

He that observeth the wind, shall not sow: and he that considereth the clouds, shall never reap.

5 As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones are joined together in the womb of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the works of God, who is the maker of all.

6 In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that — or if the two will be equally good.

In the morning sow thy seed, and In the evening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring up, this or that: and if both together, it shall be the better.

7 Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

The light is sweet, and it is delightful for the eyes to see the sun.

8 But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.

If a man live many years, and have rejoiced in them all, he must remember the darksome time, and the many days: which when they shall come, the things past shall be accused of vanity.

9 Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.

Rejoice therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart be in that which is good in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee into judgment.

10 So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.

Remove anger from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh. For youth and pleasure are vain.