Ecclesiastes/Qohelet 11

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Cast your bread on the water, eventual y you wil recover it.	1 Cast your bread upon the waters; after a long time you may find it again.
2 Offer a share to seven or to eight people, you can never tell what disaster may occur.	2 Make seven or eight portions; you know not what misfortune may come upon the earth.
3 When clouds are ful of rain, they wil shed it on the earth. If a tree fal s, whether south or north, whereit falls, there it wil lie.	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 Keep watching the wind and you wil never sow, keep staring at the clouds and you will never reap.	4 One who pays heed to the wind will not sow, and one who watches the clouds will never reap.
5 You do not understand how the wind blows, or how the embryo grows in a woman's womb: no morecan you understand the work of God, the Creator of al .	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 your seed, until evening, do not cease from labour, for of any two things you donot know which wil succeed, or which of the two is the better.	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 How sweet light is, how delightful it is to see the sun!	7 Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8 However many years you live, enjoy them all, but remember, the days of darkness wil be many: futilityawaits you at the end.	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 Young man, enjoy yourself while you are young, make the most of the days of your youth, follow theprompting and desire of heart and eye, but remember, God wil cal you to account for everything.	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 Rid your heart of indignation, keep your body clear of suffering, though youth and the age of blackhair are both futile.	10 Ward off grief from your heart and put away trouble from your presence, though the dawn of youth is fleeting.