Ecclesiastes 11
Revised Geneva Translation
11 Cast your bread upon the waters. For after many days, you shall find it.
2 Give one portion to seven, and also to eight. For you do not know what evil shall be upon the Earth.
3 If the clouds are full, they will pour forth rain 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 be.
4 He who observes the wind shall not sow. And he who regards the clouds, shall not reap.
5 As you do not know which is the way of the spirit, or how the bones grow in the womb of she who is with child, so you do not know the work of God, Who works all.
6 In the morning, sow your seed. And in the evening, do not let your hand rest. For you do not know which shall prosper, this or that, or whether both alike shall be good.
7 Surely, the light is a pleasant thing. And it is a good thing to the eyes to see the Sun.
8 Though a man lives many years, he rejoices in them all. Yet, he shall remember the days of darkness, because they are many. All that comes is vanity.
9 Rejoice in your youth, O young man! And let your heart cheer yourself 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 to judgment.
10 Therefore, take away grief from your heart, and make evil depart from your flesh. For childhood and youth are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11
Lexham English Bible
Living in the Light of the Limits of Human Knowledge
11 Send out your bread on the water,
for in many days you will find it.
2 Divide your share in seven or in eight,
for you do not know what disaster will happen on the earth.
3 When the clouds are full,
they empty rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or whether it falls to the north,
the place where the tree falls—there it will be.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not sow;
whoever watches the clouds will not reap.
5 Just as you do not know how the path of the wind[a] goes,
nor how the bones of a fetus form in a mother’s womb,
so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and do not let your hands rest in the evening,
for you do not know what will prosper—
whether this or that, or whether both of them alike will succeed.
Enjoy Life to the Fullest within the Auspices of the Fear of God
7 The light is sweet,
and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8 For if a man lives many years,
let him rejoice in all of them!
Let him remember that the days of the darkness will be many—
all that is coming is vanity!
9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth!
Follow the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes—
but know that God will bring you into judgment for all these things.
10 Banish anxiety from your heart,
and put away pain from your body,
for youth and vigor are vanity.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 11:5 Or “the breath”
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