Ecclesiastes 11:4

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.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

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

In Context

3If 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.

5As 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.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 11

Cross References

Proverbs 20:4The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 11:2-7

The Obligations to Be Liberal; Answers to Objections against Liberality. 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to 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 the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 11:4