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

Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall 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.

Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don’t know what evil will be 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 of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.

4 H e who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

He who observes the wind won’t sow; and he who regards the clouds won’t reap.

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.

As you don’t know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don’t know the work of God who does all.

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.

In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your hand; for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.

7 T ruly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is 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

Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.

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.

Rejoice, young man, in your youth, 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 your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.

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