^aCast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you ^bwill find it ¹after many days. 2 ^aDivide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what ^bmisfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it ¹lies. 4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you do not ^aknow ¹the path of the wind and ^bhow bones are formed in the womb of the ²pregnant woman, so you do not ^cknow the activity of God who makes all things.

6 Sow your seed ^ain the morning and do not ¹be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether ²morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

7 The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to ^asee the sun. 8 Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him ^arejoice in them all, and let him remember the ^bdays of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

9 Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the ¹impulses of your heart and the ^2adesires of your eyes. Yet know that ^bGod will bring you to judgment for all these things. 10 So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away ^1apain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.

^aCast your bread on the surface of the waters, be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions, for you ^bwill ¹find it after many days. 2 ^aGive a portion to seven, or even divide it to eight, for you do not know what ^bmisfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it lies. 4 He who watches the wind waiting for all conditions to be perfect will not sow seed, and he who looks at the clouds will not reap a harvest. 5 Just as you do not know ^athe way and path of the wind or how ^bthe bones are formed in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you do not ^cknow the activity of God who makes all things.

6 ^aSow your seed in the morning and do not be idle with your hands in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening planting will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

7 The light is sweet and pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to ^asee the sun. 8 Yes, if a man should live many years, let him ^arejoice in them all; yet let him remember the ^bdays of darkness, for they will be many. All that is to come will be futility.

9 Rejoice, young man, in your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant in the days of your young manhood. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the ^adesires of your eyes, but know that ^bGod will bring you into judgment for all these things. 10 Therefore, remove sorrow and anger from your heart and put away ^apain from your body, for childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. 2+@Cor 7:1; 2+@Tim 2:22