New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back.
1
Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.
2 Divide your means seven ways, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.
2
Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
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.
3
If 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.
4 Whoever observes the wind will not sow; and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.
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He 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.
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.
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As 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.
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.
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In 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.
7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
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Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
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.
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But 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.
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.
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Have 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.
10 Banish anxiety from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
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So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.