1Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.2Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.3If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.4Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.5As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed[1] in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.6Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Remember your Creator while young
7Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.8However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.9You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.10So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigour are meaningless.
1Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. (De 15:10; Pr 19:17; Isa 32:20; Mt 10:42; Lu 14:14; 2Co 9:8; Ga 6:9; Heb 6:10)2Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. (Job 5:19; Ps 112:9; Pr 6:16; Mic 5:5; Mt 5:42; Lu 6:30; Lu 16:9; Eph 5:16; 1Ti 6:18)3If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.4He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.5As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb[1] of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. (Ps 139:13; Ec 1:6; Joh 3:8)6In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (Ec 7:18)7Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. (Ec 6:5; Ec 7:11)8So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.[2] (Ec 1:2; Ec 2:23; Ec 12:1)9Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. (Nu 15:39; Job 31:7; Ec 2:10; Ec 6:9; Ec 9:7; Ec 12:14)10Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain[3] from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. (2Co 7:1; 2Ti 2:22)