1 Cast your bread (put for the seed from which it is produced) upon the surface of the waters: for you shall find the result of it after many days.
2 Give (i.e. in charity) a portion (i.e. a portion of the bread in v.1) to seven, and also to eight (an idiomatic phrase denoting several or many, like the idiom "once...twice" = several times; "twice...thrice" = often; "three and four" = frequently, or many; "four and five" = ; "six and seven" = many; "seven and eight"); for you know not what will prove a misfortune upon the 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 falls, there it shall be.
4 He that observes the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap. (The plowing must be done when the early rains have come, even in the face of storm and tempest: otherwise there will be no reaping after the later rains.)
5 According as you know 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 you know not the works of the [true] God who makes all.
6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
H J1 t1 11:7,8-. Youth. Rejoice.
u1 11:-8-. Remembrance. Days of darkness.
v1 11:-8. Vanity.
J2 t2 11;9-. Youth. Rejoice.
u2 11:-1. Knowledge. Day of judgment.
v2 11:10. Vanity.
J3 t3 12:1-. Youth. Remembrance.
u3 12:-1-7. Knowledge. Day of evil.
v3 12:8. Vanity.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8 But if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all;
yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many.
All that comes is vanity.
9 Rejoice, O chosen youth (implying beauty and strength), in your childhood; and let you heart cheer you in the days of your chosen youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes (a positive command):
but know you, that for all these things God will bring you into the judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away sadness from your flesh: for childhood and dawn of life are vanity.