Ecclesiastes 11

1 Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.2 Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.8 Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 11

Ignorance of the Future Demands Diligence in the Present

1 Sendt your graint overseas,t
for after many days you will get a return.t

2 Divide your merchandiset among seven or even eightt investments,t
for you do not knows what calamityt may happen on earth.

3 If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth,
and whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, the tree will lie wherever it falls.

4 He who watches the wind will not sow,
and he who observes the clouds will not reap.s

5 Just as you do not know the patht of the wind,
or how the bones formt in the womb of a pregnant woman,t
so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and do not stop workingt until the evening;t
for you do not know which activityt will succeedt –
whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally.t

Life Should Be Enjoyed Because Death is Inevitable

7 Lightt is sweet,t
and it is pleasant for a persont to see the sun.t

8 So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all,
but let him remember that the days of darknesst will be many – all that is about to come is obscure.t

Enjoy Life to the Fullest under the Fear of God

9 Rejoice, young man, while you are young,t
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.
Follow the impulsest of your heart and the desirest of your eyes,
but know that God will judge your motives and actions.t

10 Banisht emotional stresst from your mind.t
and put away paint from your body;t
for youtht and the prime of lifet are fleeting.t