Works of mercy are necessary, whiles we have time, 3. because after death none can merit: 4. neither must we differ to begin, nor cease from good deeds, 8. but still be mindful of death and judgement: 10. avoiding wrath and malice.Workes of mercie are necessarie, whiles we haue time, 3. because after death none can merite : 4. neither must we differ to beginne, nor cease from good dedes, 8. but stil be mindful of death and iudgement : 10. auoiding wrath and malice.✦
The third part. An exhortation to begin quickly, and persevere in God's service.
Cast thy bread upon the passing waters: because after much time thou shalt find it.CAst thy bread vpon the passing waters : a because after much time thou shalt finde it.✦Mitte panem tuum super transeuntes aquas, quia post tempora multa invenies illum.
2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: because thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth:Geue a portion b to seuen, and also to eight : because thou knowest not what euil shal be vpon the earth :✦Da partem septem necnon et octo, quia ignoras quid futurum sit mali super terram.
3If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth. If the tree shall fall to the South, or to the North, in what place soever it shall fall, there shall it be.If the cloudes be ful, they wil powre out raine vpon the earth. If the tree shal fal to the South, or to the North, in what place soeuer it shal fal, c there shal it be.✦Si repletæ fuerint nubes, imbrem super terram effundent. Si ceciderit lignum ad austrum aut ad aquilonem, in quocumque loco ceciderit, ibi erit.
4He that observeth the wind, soweth not: and he that considereth the clouds, shall never reap.He that obserueth the winde, soweth not: and he that considereth the cloudes, shal neuer reape.✦Qui observat ventum non seminat ; et qui considerat nubes numquam metet.
5As thou art ignorant which is the way of the spirit, and how the bones are framed together in the womb of her that conceiveth child: so thou knowest not the works of God, who is the maker of all.As thou art ignorant which is the way of the spirite, & how the bones are framed together in the wombe of her that conceiueth childe: so thou knowest not the workes of God, who is the maker of al.✦Quomodo ignoras quæ sit via spiritus, et qua ratione compingantur ossa in ventre prægnantis, sic nescis opera Dei, qui fabricator est omnium.
6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring, this or that: and if both together, it shall be the better.In d the morning sow thy seede, and in the euening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring, this or that: and if both together, it shal be the better.✦Mane semina semen tuum, et vespere ne cesset manus tua : quia nescis quid magis oriatur, hoc aut illud ; et si utrumque simul, melius erit.
7The light is sweet: and it is delectable for the eyes to see the sun.The light is sweete: and it is delectable for the eyes to see the sunne.✦Dulce lumen, et delectabile est oculis videre solem.
8If a man shall live many years, and shall have rejoiced in them all, he must remember the darksome time, and many days: which when they shall come, the things past shall be arguentur: rebuked, scolded; convicted, proved guilty of vanity.If a man shal liue manie yeares, and shal haue reioyced in them al, he must remember the darkesome time, and manie dayes: which when they shal come, the thinges past shal be reproued of vanitie.✦Si annis multis vixerit homo, et in his omnibus lætatus fuerit, meminisse debet tenebrosi temporis, et dierum multorum, qui cum venerint, vanitatis arguentur præterita.
9Rejoice therefore young man in thy youth, and let thy heart be in good, in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee into judgement.Reioyce therfore yongman in thy youth, and let thy hart be in good, in the dayes of thy youth, and walke in the wayes of thy hart, and in the sight of thyne eyes: and know that for al these God wil bring thee into iudgement.✦Lætare ergo, juvenis, in adolescentia tua, et in bono sit cor tuum in diebus juventutis tuæ : et ambula in viis cordis tui, et in intuitu oculorum tuorum, et scito quod pro omnibus his adducet te Deus in judicium.
10Take away anger from thy heart, and remove malice from thy flesh. For youth and pleasure are vain.Take away anger from thy hart, and remoue malice from thy flesh. For youth and pleasure are vaine.✦Aufer iram a corde tuo, et amove malitiam a carne tua : adolescentia enim et voluptas vana sunt.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.