1 Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.

2 Give a share to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be on the earth.

3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty on the earth; and if the tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.

4 He who watches the wind shall not sow; and he who pays attention to the clouds shall not reap.

5 As you do not know what [is] the way of the spirit, as how the bones [grow] in the pregnant woman's womb; even so you do not know the works of God who makes all.

6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know what shall be blessed, either this or that, or whether they both [shall be] fruitful in the same way.

7 Also the light [is] sweet, and a pleasant thing [it is] for the eyes to behold the sun;

8 but if a man lives many years, [and] rejoices in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes [is] vanity.

9 Rejoice, in your youth, young man; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these [things] God will bring you into judgment.

10 Therefore remove vexation from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for childhood and prime of life [are] vanity.