Ecclesiastes 11:4 asv — He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

American Standard Version

"He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. "

— Ecclesiastes 11:4, American Standard Version

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Ecclesiastes 11:4 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 11 — Context

1

Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

2

Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.

4

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5

As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

6

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

7

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 11:4 say?
Ecclesiastes 11:4 in the American Standard Version reads: “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 11:4 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 11:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 11, verse 4.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 11:4.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 11:4 in?
Ecclesiastes 11:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 11:4?
Ecclesiastes 11:4 reads (ASV): “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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