Eclesiastés 11
Bible in Basic English
1Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.
2Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
3If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.
4He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.
5As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.
6In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that — or if the two will be equally good.
7Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
8But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.
9Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.
10So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.
Reina-Valera 1909
1ECHA tu pan sobre las aguas; que después de muchos días lo hallarás.
2Reparte á siete, y aun á ocho: porque no sabes el mal que vendrá sobre la tierra.
3Si las nubes fueren llenas de agua, sobre la tierra la derramarán: y si el árbol cayere al mediodía, ó al norte, al lugar que el árbol cayere, allí quedará.
4El que al viento mira, no sembrará; y el que mira á las nubes, no segará.
5Como tú no sabes cuál es el camino del viento, ó cómo se crían los huesos en el vientre de la mujer preñada, así ignoras la obra de Dios, el cual hace todas las cosas.
6Por la mañana siembra tu simiente, y á la tarde no dejes reposar tu mano: porque tú no sabes cuál es lo mejor, si esto ó lo otro, ó si ambas á dos cosas son buenas.
7Suave ciertamente es la luz, y agradable á los ojos ver el sol:
8Mas si el hombre viviere muchos años, y en todos ellos hubiere gozado alegría; si después trajere á la memoria los días de las tinieblas, que serán muchos, todo lo que le habrá pasado, dirá haber sido vanidad.
9Alégrate, mancebo, en tu mocedad, y tome placer tu corazón en los días de tu juventud; y anda en los caminos de tu corazón, y en la vista de tus ojos: mas sabe, que sobre todas estas cosas te traerá Dios á juicio.
10Quita pues el enojo de tu corazón, y aparta el mal de tu carne: porque la mocedad y la juventud son vanidad.
King James Version
1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3If 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.
4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
6In 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.
7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
World English Bible
1Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.
3If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.
4He who observes the wind won’t sow; and he who regards the clouds won’t reap.
5As you don’t know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don’t know the work of God who does all.
6In 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.
7Truly the light is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to see the sun.
8Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.
9Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.