Ecclesiastes 11

The Preacher urges generosity — cast your bread upon the waters — and diligence in labor, for no man knows what disaster may come. He counsels the young man to rejoice in his youth and walk in the ways of his heart, but warns that God will bring every action into judgment.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.	Cast your bread upon the waters, for you shall find it after many days.
2	Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.	Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil shall come 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 falleth, there it shall be.	If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth. And if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
4	He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.	He who watches the wind shall not sow, and he who regards the clouds shall 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.	As you do not know the way of the spirit, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, even so you do not know the works of God Who makes all things.
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.	In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand, for you do not know which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether both shall be equally good.
7	Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:	Truly the light is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing 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.	But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall 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.	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 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.	Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.