Ecclesiastes 11:3 NIV: If 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.

Ecclesiastes 11:3

Bible > NIV > Ecclesiastes 11 > Verse 3

◄ Ecclesiastes 11:3 ►

New International Version (© 2011)
If 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.

King James Bible
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.

American Standard Version
If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.

Young's Literal Translation
If the thick clouds are full of rain, On the earth they empty themselves; And if a tree doth fall in the south or to the north, The place where the tree falleth, there it is.

Ecclesiastes 11:3 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

If the clouds be full of rain - Act as the clouds; when they are full they pour out their water indifferently on the field and on the desert. By giving charity indiscriminately, it may be that thou wilt often give it to the unworthy: but thou shouldst ever consider that he is an object of thy charity, who appears to be in real want; and better relieve or give to a hundred worthless persons, than pass by one who is in real distress.

Where the tree falleth, there it shall be - Death is at no great distance; thou hast but a short time to do good. Acquire a heavenly disposition while here; for there will be no change after this life. If thou die in the love of God, and in the love of man, in that state wilt thou be found in the day of judgment. If a tree about to fall lean to the north, to the north it will fall; if to the south, it will fall to that quarter. In whatever disposition or state of soul thou diest, in that thou wilt be found in the eternal world. Death refines nothing, purifies nothing, kills no sin, helps to no glory. Let thy continual bent and inclination be to God, to holiness, to charity, to mercy, and to heaven: then, fall when thou mayest, thou wilt fall well.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

the clouds

1 Kings 18:45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode...

Psalm 65:9-13 You visit the earth, and water it: you greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water: you prepare them corn...

Isaiah 55:10,11 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud...

1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him...

if the tree

Matthew 3:10 And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down...

Luke 13:7 Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none...

Luke 16:22-26 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried...

Ecclesiastes 11:3 Parallel Commentaries
Clouds Earth Empty Fall Falleth Falls Full Lies North Pour Rain South Themselves Thick Towards Tree Water Whatever Wherever Whether
Clouds Earth Empty Fall Falleth Falls Full Lies North Pour Rain South Themselves Thick Towards Tree Water Whatever Wherever Whether
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.