Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. New Living Translation Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. English Standard Version In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Berean Standard Bible Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper. Berean Literal Bible In 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good. New American Standard Bible Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether one or the other will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. NASB 1995 Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. NASB 1977 Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. Legacy Standard Bible Sow your seed in the morning and do not put your hands down in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. Amplified Bible Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle with your hands in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening planting will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Berean Annotated Bible Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper. Christian Standard Bible In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good. Holman Christian Standard Bible In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good. American Standard Version In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Contemporary English Version Plant your seeds early in the morning and keep working in the field until dark. Who knows? Your work might pay off, and your seeds might produce. English Revised Version In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. GOD'S WORD® Translation Plant your seed in the morning, and don't let your hands rest until evening. You don't know whether this field or that field will be profitable or whether both of them will [turn out] equally well. Good News Translation Do your planting in the morning and in the evening, too. You never know whether it will all grow well or whether one planting will do better than the other. International Standard Version Sow your seed in the morning, and don't stop working until evening, since you don't know which of your endeavors will do well, whether this one or that, or even if both will do equally well. NET Bible Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening; for you do not know which activity will succeed--whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally. New Heart English Bible In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they will both be equally good. Webster's Bible Translation In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper. World English Bible In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your hand; for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn the morning sow your seed, "" And at evening do not withdraw your hand, "" For you do not know which is right, this or that, "" Or whether both of them alike [are] good. Berean Literal Bible In 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. Young's Literal Translation In the morning sow thy seed, And at even withdraw not thy hand, For thou knowest not which is right, this or that, Or whether both of them alike are good. Smith's Literal Translation In the morning sow thy seed, and at evening thou shalt not let thy hand rest: for thou shalt not know whether this shall be right, this or that, or if they two as one being good. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn the morning sow thy seed, and In the evening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring up, this or that: and if both together, it shall be the better. Catholic Public Domain Version In the morning, sow your seed, and in the evening, do not let your hand cease. For you do not know which of these may rise up, the one or the other. But if both rise up together, so much the better. New American Bible In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand be idle: For you do not know which of the two will be successful, or whether both alike will turn out well. New Revised Standard Version In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIn the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hands: for you know not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both alike shall be good. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Every dawn sow your seed, and at evening do not remove your hand, because you do not know what will prosper, whether this or that, or if both are good together OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917In the morning sow thy seed, And in the evening withhold not thy hand; For thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, Or whether they both shall be alike good. Brenton Septuagint Translation In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thine hand be slack: for thou knowest not what sort shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether both shall be good alike. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Cast Your Bread upon the Waters…5As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper. Cross References Sow your seed in the morning, Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. and do not rest your hands in the evening, Proverbs 10:4-5 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. / He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. Proverbs 6:10-11 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. for you do not know which will succeed, James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. whether this or that, James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him. Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. or if both will equally prosper. Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Deuteronomy 28:8 The LORD will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand; the LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you. Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Treasury of Scripture In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. sow Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. thou knowest Ecclesiastes 9:1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. Haggai 1:6-11 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes… Haggai 2:17-19 I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD… prosper Jump to Previous Alike Earth Either Equally Evening Good Hand Hands Idle Morning Prosper Rest Right Seed Sow Sowing Succeed Whether Withdraw WithholdJump to Next Alike Earth Either Equally Evening Good Hand Hands Idle Morning Prosper Rest Right Seed Sow Sowing Succeed Whether Withdraw WithholdEcclesiastes 11 1. directions for charity7. death in life and the day of judgment 9. in the days of youth Sow your seed in the morning This phrase encourages diligence and initiative. In ancient agrarian societies, sowing seed was a critical task that required careful timing and effort. The morning symbolizes the beginning of one's efforts, suggesting that one should start their work early and with vigor. This aligns with Proverbs 6:6-8, which advises learning from the ant's industriousness. The act of sowing also metaphorically represents investing in various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, and spiritual growth. and do not rest your hands in the evening for you do not know which will succeed whether this or that or if both will equally prosper Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. 2. Israel - The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel was a nation that experienced prosperity and challenges during his time. 3. Agricultural Imagery - The verse uses agricultural metaphors, common in the ancient Near East, to convey spiritual truths about diligence and trust in God's providence. Teaching Points Diligence in WorkThe verse encourages consistent effort in our endeavors, both in the morning and evening. This reflects a biblical principle of hard work and perseverance. Trust in God's Sovereignty We are reminded that the outcome of our efforts is ultimately in God's hands. Our responsibility is to sow and work; God determines the success. Embrace Uncertainty with Faith Life is unpredictable, and we cannot foresee which efforts will prosper. This calls for faith and trust in God's plan, even when outcomes are uncertain. Balanced Life Approach The verse suggests a balanced approach to life, where we are neither idle nor overly anxious about results. We are to be active and trustful. Spiritual Sowing Beyond physical labor, this principle applies to spiritual disciplines. We are to sow seeds of faith, kindness, and love, trusting God for spiritual growth. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 11:6?2. How does Ecclesiastes 11:6 encourage diligence in our daily work and efforts? 3. What does "sow your seed in the morning" imply about consistent effort? 4. How can we trust God's sovereignty when outcomes are uncertain, as in Ecclesiastes 11:6? 5. Which other Scriptures emphasize the importance of perseverance and hard work? 6. How can you apply the principle of sowing diligently in your spiritual life? 7. What does Ecclesiastes 11:6 teach about the unpredictability of life's outcomes? 8. How does Ecclesiastes 11:6 encourage diligence despite uncertainty? 9. What historical context influences the message of Ecclesiastes 11:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 11? 11. In Ecclesiastes 11:6, does the advice to sow seed “morning and evening” ignore practical limitations like weather, climate, and resources? 12. In Ecclesiastes 11:1, how is 'casting bread upon the waters' supposed to yield a result when bread would dissolve or sink? 13. In Ecclesiastes 12:8, does the statement 'all is vanity' contradict the idea of purpose found elsewhere in the Bible? 14. What does 'Cast your bread upon the waters' mean? What Does Ecclesiastes 11:6 Mean Sow your seed in the morning• The picture is a farmer rising early, scattering seed before the sun is high. Scripture takes that image literally—physical labor done promptly—yet also urges spiritual sowing: good works, prayer, gospel witness. • God commends early diligence (Proverbs 6:6-8; 20:4), and Jesus Himself worked “while it is day” (John 9:4). • Start each endeavor—career, ministry, family responsibilities—without delay, trusting the Lord of the harvest (Psalm 90:17). and do not rest your hands in the evening • The verse moves from dawn to dusk, calling for perseverance well beyond the first burst of energy. • Hands that keep moving reflect the virtuous worker of Proverbs 31:17-18 and obey Paul’s charge, “Let us not grow weary in well-doing” (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13). • Literal farmers know the day is short; believers likewise press on until Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:58). for you do not know which will succeed • The limitation of human knowledge is stark. We cannot foresee which effort, conversation, or act of kindness God will use. • James 4:13-15 warns against presuming on outcomes; only the Lord determines success (Proverbs 16:9). • Our task is faithfulness; results belong to Him (Isaiah 55:8-9). whether this or that • The wording assumes multiple ventures—diversification echoed earlier: “Give a portion to seven, yes to eight” (Ecclesiastes 11:2). • Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) shows servants investing varied amounts yet each accountable. • Plant in more than one field: serve at home and church, labor at work and mission, entrust every sphere to God (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). or if both will equally prosper • God may bless every seed cast, multiplying beyond expectation (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • Malachi 3:10 promises overflowing barns when He chooses; Psalm 126:5-6 pictures sheaves carried home with joy. • The possibility of double harvest motivates continued labor and fuels hope. summary Ecclesiastes 11:6 calls for steady, dawn-to-dusk industry in both physical and spiritual arenas. Work early, persevere late, diversify efforts, and leave the results to God, who alone knows—and often multiplies—the harvest. (6) Prosper.--The word is used again in Ecclesiastes 10:10 and Esther 8:5, and belongs to modern Hebrew. (Comp. Galatians 6:7-8.)Verse 6. - In the morning sow thy seed. Do not let your ignorance of the future and the inscrutability of God's dealings lead you to indolence and apathy; do your appointed work; be active and diligent in your calling. The labor of the farmer is taken as a type of business generally, and was especially appropriate to the class of persons whom Koheleth is instructing. The injunction occurs naturally after ver. 4. And in the evening withhold not thine hand. Labor on untiredly from morn till evening. It is not an advice to rest during midday, as that was too hot a time to work (Stuart), but a call to spend the entire day in active employment, the two extremities being mentioned in order to include the whole. Work undertaken in a right spirit is a blessing, not a curse, shuts out many temptations, encourages many virtues. Some see here a special reference to the maxim at the beginning of the chapter, as though the author meant, "Exercise thy charity at all times, early and late," the metaphor being similar 'to that in 2 Corinthians 9:6, "He which soweth sparingly," etc. Others find a figure of the ages of, man in the "morning and evening," thus, "From earliest youth practice piety and purity, and continue such conduct to its close." This leads naturally to the subject of the following section; but it may be doubted whether this thought was in the author's mind. It seems best to take the paragraph merely as commending activity, whether in business or in benevolence, without anxious regard to results which are in higher hands. "Withhold not thy hand," i.e. from sowing; Μὴ ἀφέτω ἡ χείρ σου (Septuagint). For thou knowest not whether shall prosper, which of the two sewings, either this or that, the morning or evening sowing. It is a chance, and a man must risk something; if one fails, the other may succeed. Or whether they both shall be alike good. The uncertainty rouses to exertion; labor may at any rate secure half the crop, or even give a double produce, if both sewings succeed. So in religion and morality, the good seed sown early and late may bear fruit early or late, or may have blessed results all along. The Vulgate is less correct, Et si utrumque simul, melius or, "And if both together, it will be better."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Sowזְרַ֣ע (zə·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2232: To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify your seed זַרְעֶ֔ךָ (zar·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity in the morning, בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙ (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning and do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not rest תַּנַּ֣ח (tan·naḥ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular Strong's 3240: Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, your hands יָדֶ֑ךָ (yā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand in the evening, וְלָעֶ֖רֶב (wə·lā·‘e·reḇ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6153: Evening for כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you do not אֵֽינְךָ֨ (’ê·nə·ḵā) Adverb | second person masculine singular Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle know יוֹדֵ֜ע (yō·w·ḏê‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know which אֵ֣י (’ê) Interrogative Strong's 335: Where?, how? will succeed, יִכְשָׁר֙ (yiḵ·šār) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3787: To be advantageous, proper, or suitable, to succeed whether this הֲזֶ֣ה (hă·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that or אוֹ־ (’ōw-) Conjunction Strong's 176: Desire, if that, זֶ֔ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that or if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not both שְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם (šə·nê·hem) Number - mdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) will equally כְּאֶחָ֖ד (kə·’e·ḥāḏ) Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first prosper. טוֹבִֽים׃ (ṭō·w·ḇîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good Links Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIVEcclesiastes 11:6 NLT Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV Ecclesiastes 11:6 NASB Ecclesiastes 11:6 KJV Ecclesiastes 11:6 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 11:6 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 11:6 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 11:6 French Bible Ecclesiastes 11:6 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow your seed (Ecclesiast. 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