Ecclesiastes 11 Parallel Bible Translations

Ecclesiastes 11 ▼
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YLT
Young's Literal Translation
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 Send forth thy bread on the face of the waters, For in the multitude of the days thou dost find it. 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 Give a portion to seven, and even to eight, For thou knowest not what evil is on 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 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. 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 Whoso is observing the wind soweth not, And whoso is looking on the thick clouds reapeth not. 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 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, How -- bones in the womb of the full one, So thou knowest not the work of God who maketh the whole. 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 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. 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 Sweet also is the light, And good 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 But, if man liveth many years, In all of them let him rejoice, And remember the days of darkness, For they are many! all that is coming 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 young man, in thy childhood, And let thy heart gladden thee in days of thy youth, And walk in the ways of thy heart, And in the sight of thine eyes, And know thou that for all these, Doth God bring thee into 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 And turn aside anger from thy heart, And cause evil to pass from thy flesh, For the childhood and the age are vanity! 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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