Ecclesiastes 11
JPS TaNaKH 1917
Chapter overview
Give generously and diversify wisely because disaster cannot be predicted. Those who wait for perfect conditions will never sow or reap, so work faithfully morning and evening. Light and youth are joyful gifts, but every season should be lived with accountability before God.
GenerosityUncertaintyDiligenceJoyAccountability
1Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.
2Divide a portion into seven, yea, even into eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.
4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5As 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 things.
6In 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.
7And the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
8For if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9Rejoice, 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.
10Therefore remove vexation from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for childhood and youth are vanity.
JPS TaNaKH 1917 — Public Domain. Where these translations come from.