Ecclesiastes/Qohelet 11

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.	1 Cast your bread upon the waters; after a long time you may find it again.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.	2 Make seven or eight portions; you know not what misfortune may come upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.	3 When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, wherever it falls, there shall it lie.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.	4 One who pays heed to the wind will not sow, and one who watches the clouds will never reap.
5 As thou knowest 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 thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.	5 Just as you know not how the breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother's womb, So you know not the work of God which he is accomplishing in the universe.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.	6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening let not your hand be idle: For you know not which of the two will be successful, or whether both alike will turn out well.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:	7 Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see 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 cometh is vanity.	8 However many years a man may live, let him, as he enjoys them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity.
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.	9 Rejoice, O young man, while you are young and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes; Yet understand that as regards all this God will bring you to judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.	10 Ward off grief from your heart and put away trouble from your presence, though the dawn of youth is fleeting.