Prædikeren 11
1 Kast dit Brød på Vandet, Thi du får det igen, går end lang Tid hen.
Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.
2 Del dit Gods i syv otte Dele, thi du ved ej, hvad ondt der kanske på Jorden.
Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
3 Er Skyerne fulde af Regn, så gyder de den ud over Jorden; og falder et Træ mod Syd eller Nord; så bliver det liggende der, hvor det falder.
If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.
4 Man får aldrig sået, når man kigger efter Vinden, og aldrig høstet, når man ser efter Skyerne.
He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.
5 Som du ikke kender Vindens Vej eller Fostret i Moders Liv, så kender du ej heller Guds Virke, han, som virker alt.
As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.
6 Så din Sæd ved Gry og lad Hånden ej hvile ved Kvæld; thi du ved ej, om dette eller hint vil lykkes, eller begge Dele er lige gode.
In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that — or if the two will be equally good.
7 Lyset er lifligt, at skue Solen er godt for Øjnene;
Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
8 ja, lever et Menneske mange År, skal han glæde sig over dem alle og komme Mørkets Dage i Hu, thi af dem er der mange i Vente; alt, hvad der kommer, er Tomhed.
But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.
9 Glæd dig, Yngling, i din Ungdom, vær vel til Mode i Livets Vår; gå, hvor dit Hjerte lyster, og nyd, hvad dit Øje skuer; men vid, at for alle disse Ting skal du kræves til Regnskab af Gud.
Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.
10 Slå Mismod ud af dit Sind, hold Sygdom fjernt fra din Krop; thi Ungdom og Livsgry er Tomhed!
So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.
