1 C ast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

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

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

Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight, for you know not what evil may come upon the earth.

3 I f 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.

If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.

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

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

5 A s 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.

As you know not what is the way of the wind, or how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you know not the work of God, Who does all.

6 I n 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.

In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hands, for you know not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

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

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

8 b ut 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.

Yes, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that comes is vanity (emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility)!

9 R ejoice, 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.

Rejoice, O young man, in your adolescence, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

10 T herefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Therefore remove sorrow and vexation from your heart and mind and put away evil from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.