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

Cast your bread on the surface of 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.

Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on 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, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.

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

He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at 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.

Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity 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 whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

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

The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see 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.

Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be 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, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment 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, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.