Ecclesiastes 11

1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.footnote a

2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.footnote b

7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

8But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.footnote c

Cast Your Bread upon the Waters

1Cast your bread upon the waters,for after many days you will find it again. 2Divide your portion among seven, or even eight,for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.

3If the clouds are full,they will pour out rain upon the earth;whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4He who watches the wind will fail to sow,and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.

5As you do not know the path of the wind,or how the bones are formedfootnote ain a mother’s womb,so you cannot understand the work of God,the Maker of all things. 6Sow your seed in the morning,and do not rest your hands in the evening,for you do not know which will succeed,whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.

Enjoy Your Years

7Light is sweet,and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 8So if a man lives many years,let him rejoice in them all.But let him remember the days of darkness,for they will be many.Everything to come is futile.

9Rejoice, O young man, while you are young,and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.Walk in the ways of your heartand in the sight of your eyes,but know that for all these thingsGod will bring you to judgment. 10So banish sorrow from your heart,and cast off pain from your body,for youth and vigor are fleeting.footnote b