Exhortation to works of mercy, while we have time, to diligence in
good, and to the remembrance of death and judgment.
11:1. Cast thy bread upon the running waters: for after a long time
thou shalt find it again.
11:2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not
what evil shall be upon the earth.
11:3. If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth. If
the tree fall to the south, or to the north, in what place soever it
shall fall, there shall it be.
If the tree fall, etc.... The state of the soul is unchangeable when
once she comes to heaven or hell: and a soul that departs this life in
the state of grace, shall never fall from grace: as on the other side,
a soul that dies out of the state of grace, shall never come to it. But
this does not exclude a place of temporal punishments for such souls as
die in the state of grace: yet not so as to be entirely pure: and
therefore they shall be saved, indeed, yet so as by fire. 1 Cor. 3.13,
14, 15.
11:4. He that observeth the wind, shall not sow: and he that
considereth the clouds, shall never reap.
11:5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the
bones are joined together in the womb of her that is with child: so
thou knowest not the works of God, who is the maker of all.
11:6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thy hand
cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring up, this or that:
and if both together, it shall be the better.
11:7. The light is sweet, and it is delightful for the eyes to see the
sun.
11:8. If a man live many years, and have rejoiced in them all, he must
remember the darksome time, and the many days: which when they shall
come, the things past shall be accused of vanity.
11:9. Rejoice therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart
be in that which is good in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways
of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: and know that for all these
God will bring thee into judgment.
11:10. Remove anger from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh.
For youth and pleasure are vain.