Cast Your Bread upon the Waters

1Send out your bread on the face of the waters,

for in many days you will find it.

2Give a portion to seven, and even to eight,

for you do not know what evil may come to be on the earth.

3If the clouds are full of rain,

they will pour out upon the earth;

and if a tree falls in the south or in the north,

at the place where the tree falls, there it will be.

4The one watching the wind will not sow,

and one looking at the clouds will not reap.

5As you do not know what is the way of the wind,

as the bones† in the womb of the full woman,

so you do not know the works of God,

who makes everything.

6In the morning sow your seed,

and in the evening do not withhold your hand,

for you do not you know whether this one will prosper—

this one or this one, or whether the two of them alike are good.

Enjoy Your Years

7The light also is sweet,

and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

8For if the man lives many years,

let him be glad in them all,

and let him remember the days of darkness,

for they will be many—

all that is coming is vapor.

9Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,

and let your heart be made glad in the days of your youth.

And walk in the ways of your heart,

and in the sight of your eyes,

and know that for all these things

God will bring you into the judgment.

10And remove anger from your heart,

and make evil pass from your flesh,

for youth and black hair are vapor.