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Ecclesiastes 11
1599 Geneva Bible
Ecclesiastes 11
1599 Geneva Bible
11 1 To be liberal to the poor. 4 Not to doubt of God’s providence. 8 All worldly prosperity is but vanity. 9 God will judge all.
1 Cast thy bread upon the [a]waters: for after many days thou shalt find it.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3 If the [b]clouds be full, they will pour forth rain upon the earth: and if the [c]tree do fall toward the South, or toward the North, in the place that the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the [d]wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not which is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the work of God that worketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thine hand [e]rest: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, this or [f]that, or whether both shall be a like good.
7 Surely the light is a pleasant thing: and it is a good thing to the eyes to see the sun.
8 Though a man live many years, and in them all he rejoice, yet he shall remember the days of [g]darkness, because they are many, all that cometh is vanity.
9 [h]Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thine 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 that for all these things, God will bring thee to judgment.
10 Therefore take away [i]grief out of thine heart, and cause evil [j]to depart from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 11:1 That is, be liberal to the poor, and though it seem to be as a thing ventured on the sea, yet it shall bring thee profit.
- Ecclesiastes 11:3 As the clouds that are full, pour out rain, so the rich that have abundance, must distribute it liberally.
- Ecclesiastes 11:3 He exhorteth to be liberal while we live: for after, there is no power.
- Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that feareth inconveniences, when necessity requireth, shall never do his duty.
- Ecclesiastes 11:6 Be not weary of well doing.
- Ecclesiastes 11:6 That is, which of thy works are most agreeable to God.
- Ecclesiastes 11:8 That is, of affliction and trouble.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9 He derideth them that set their delight in worldly pleasures, as though God would not call count.
- Ecclesiastes 11:10 To wit, anger, and envy.
- Ecclesiastes 11:10 Meaning, carnal lusts, whereunto youth is given.
Ecclesiastes 11
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 11
New International Version
Invest in Many Ventures
11 Ship(A) your grain across the sea;
after many days you may receive a return.(B)
2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
3 If clouds are full of water,
they pour rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind,(C)
or how the body is formed[a] in a mother’s womb,(D)
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,(E)
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.
Remember Your Creator While Young
7 Light is sweet,
and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.(F)
8 However many years anyone may live,
let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember(G) the days of darkness,
for there will be many.
Everything to come is meaningless.
9 You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.(H)
10 So then, banish anxiety(I) from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.(J)
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 11:5 Or know how life (or the spirit) / enters the body being formed
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
New International Version (NIV) 
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