Ecclesiastes 11

The Uncertainty of Life and the Call to Diligence and Generosity

1 min read

1 Cast your bread on the waters: for you shall find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be on the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.
4 He that observes the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap.
5 As you know not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so you know not the works of God who makes all.
6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either 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 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. ¶
9 Rejoice, O 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 you, that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
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