Ecclesiastes 11 (NASB2020)

1Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it 11:1 Lit in, withinafter many days. 2Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3If the clouds are full, they pour out rain on the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it 11:3 Lit islies. 4One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest. 5Just as you do not know the path of the 11:5 Or with many mss spirit into the bones in the wombwind, and how bones are formed in the womb of the 11:5 Lit fullpregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes everything.

6Sow your seed in the morning and do not 11:6 Lit let down your handbe idle in the evening, for you do not know whether 11:6 Lit this or thatone or the other will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

7The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. 8Indeed, if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

9Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the 11:9 Lit waysimpulses of your heart and the 11:9 Lit sightsdesires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. 10So remove 11:10 Or angersorrow from your heart and keep 11:10 Lit evilpain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are 11:10 Lit futilityfleeting.