Ecclesiastes 11 Parallel Bible Translations

Ecclesiastes 11 ▼
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NABRE
New American Bible Revised
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 Send forth your bread upon the face of the waters; after a long time you may find it again. Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.
2 Make seven, or even eight portions; you know not what misfortune may come upon the earth. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
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. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. 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.
4 One who pays heed to the wind will never sow, and one who watches the clouds will never reap. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 Just as you do not know how the life breath enters the human frame in the mother’s womb, So you do not know the work of God, who is working in everything. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
6 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. 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. 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.
7 Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8 However many years mortals may live, let them, as they enjoy them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9 Rejoice, O youth, 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 regarding all this that God will bring you to judgment. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10 Banish misery from your heart and remove pain from your body, for youth and black hair are fleeting. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
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