Ecclesiastes 11:4 web — He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't reap.

World English Bible

"He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't reap."

— Ecclesiastes 11:4, World English Bible

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Ecclesiastes 11:4 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 11 — Context

1

Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.

2

Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don't know what evil will be on the earth.

3

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

4

He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't reap.

5

As you don't know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don't know the work of God who does all.

6

In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don't withhold your hand; for you don't know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.

7

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

Ecclesiastes 11:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 11:4 say?
Ecclesiastes 11:4 in the World English Bible reads: “He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't 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 (WEB): “He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't 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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