Ecclesiastes 11–12: Cast Your Bread, Remember Your Creator, and the End of the Matter
Scripture: Berean Standard Bible
Cast your bread upon the waters,for after many days you will find it again.Divide your portion among seven, or even eight,for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.
If the clouds are full,they will pour out rain upon the earth;whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,in the place where it falls, there it will lie.He who watches the wind will fail to sow,and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.
As you do not know the path of the wind,or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb,so you cannot understand the work of God,the Maker of all things.Sow your seed in the morning,and do not rest your hands in the evening,for you do not know which will succeed,whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.
Light is sweet,and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.So if a man lives many years,let him rejoice in them all.But let him remember the days of darkness,for they will be many.Everything to come is futile.
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young,and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.Walk in the ways of your heartand in the sight of your eyes,but know that for all these thingsGod will bring you to judgment.So banish sorrow from your heart,and cast off pain from your body,for youth and vigor are fleeting.Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,before the days of adversity comeand the years approach of which you will say,“I find no pleasure in them,”before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened,and the clouds return after the rain,on the day the keepers of the house trembleand the strong men stoop,when those grinding cease because they are fewand those watching through windows see dimly,when the doors to the street are shutand the sound of the mill fades away,when one rises at the sound of a birdand all the daughters of song grow faint,when men fear the heights and dangers of the road,when the almond tree blossoms,the grasshopper loses its spring,and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal homeand mourners walk the streets.
Remember him before the silver cord is snappedand the golden bowl is crushed,before the pitcher is shattered at the springand the wheel is broken at the well,before the dust returns to the ground from which it cameand the spirit returns to God who gave it.
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher.“Everything is futile!”
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd. And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.