Ecclesiastes - Chapter 11

Prudence Required

¹ Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.

² Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

³ If the clouds are full of rain, They empty [themselves] upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.

⁴ He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

⁵ As you do not know what [is] the way of the wind, [Or] how the bones [grow] in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

⁶ In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike [will be] good.

Joy of Life

⁷ Truly the light is sweet, And [it is] pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;

⁸ But if a man lives many years [And] rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming [is] vanity.

⁹ 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 in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.

¹⁰ Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth [are] vanity.