The Value of Diligence
1 Cast your breadupon the waters,
# For you will find it after many days.
2 Give a servingto seven, and also to eight,
# For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
They emptythemselvesupon the earth;
And if a tree falls to the south or the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 Asyou do not know whatisthe way of the wind,
# Orhow the bonesgrowin the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
6 In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alikewillbegood.
7 Truly the light is sweet,
# Anditispleasant for the eyesto behold the sun;
8 But if a man lives many years
# Andrejoices in them all,
# Yet let himremember the days of darkness,
For they will be many.
All that is comingisvanity.
Seek God in Early Life
9 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 in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
# God will bring you into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
# Andput away evil from your flesh,
# For childhood and youtharevanity.