King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
1
Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
2
Divide your means seven ways, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.
3 If 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.
3
When clouds are full, they empty rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
4
Whoever observes the wind will not sow; and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.
5 As 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.
5
Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother's womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything.
6 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.
6
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.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
7
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8 But 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.
8
Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all; yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
9 Rejoice, 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.
9
Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
10
Banish anxiety from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.