1Cast your bread upon the waters; for you shall find it after many days (be generous; and someday you may be rewarded). 2Divide (diversify) your investments among seven or eight places; for you do not know what risks lie ahead. 3If clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, where it falls, there it shall be. 4He that awaits perfect weather conditions will never sow; nor ever reap. 5As you do not know the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the mother’s womb; even so you do not understand the work of God, Who creates all things. 6Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening; for you do not know which shall succeed, whether this or that, or if they shall both succeed alike. 7Truly the light is sweet, and to see the sun is pleasant to the eyes; 8However many years a man lives, let him rejoice in them all; but remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. Everything that comes is vanity.

9Rejoice, young man; let your heart cheer you in those days of your youth, and pursue the desires of your heart, and what your eyes see; but remember that for all these things God will hold you accountable. 10So, banish sorrow from your heart, and keep yourself healthy; for childhood and youth are fleeting and vanity.