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

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

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

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

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 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.

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 T ruly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant 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 let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. Seek God in Early Life

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 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.

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 your heart, And put away evil from your 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.