1 ¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.

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

2 G ive a portion to seven and even to eight, for thou dost not know what evil shall come upon the earth.

Share what you have with seven, or even with eight, for you do not know what trouble may come on the earth.

3 I f the clouds are full of rain, they shall empty themselves upon the earth; and if the tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall remain.

If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. And if a tree falls to the south or to the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.

4 H e that observes the wind shall not sow, and he that regards the clouds shall not reap.

He who watches the wind will not plant his seeds. And he who looks at the clouds will not gather the food.

5 A s thou dost not know what is the way of the spirit nor how the bones grow in the womb of her that is with child, even so thou dost not know the works of God who makes all.

Just as you do not know the path of the wind or how the bones are made of a child yet to be born, so you do not know the work of God Who makes all things.

6 I n the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or that or whether they both shall be equally good.

Plant your seeds in the morning, and do not be lazy in the evening. You do not know which will grow well, the morning or evening planting, or if both of them alike will do well.

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

Light is pleasing. It is good for the eyes to see the sun.

8 b ut if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all; yet if afterwards he remembers the days of darkness, for they shall be many, he shall say that everything that shall have happened to him is vanity.

If a man should live many years, let him have joy in them all. Yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that comes is for nothing. What Young People Should Do

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.

Young man, be filled with joy while you are young. And let your heart be happy while you are a young man. Follow the ways of your heart and the desires of your eyes. But know that God will judge you for all these things.

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

So put away trouble from your heart, and put away pain from your body. Because the years when you were a child and the best years of your life are going by fast.