Parallel Verses
Lexham Expanded Bible
This also [is] a grievous illness. Exactly as he came, so he will go. What profit [does] he gain for all his toil for the wind?
New American Standard Bible
This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man
King James Version
And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
Holman Bible
This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain
International Standard Version
This is also a painful tragedy: However a person comes, he also departs; so what does he gain as he labors after the wind?
A Conservative Version
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he that he labored for the wind?
American Standard Version
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind?
Amplified
This also is a grievous evil—exactly as he was born, so he shall die. So what advantage has he who labors for the wind?
Bible in Basic English
And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind?
Darby Translation
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came so doth he go away, and what profit hath he, in having laboured for the wind?
Julia Smith Translation
And also this an evil making sick, wholly as he came so shall he go: and what to him he shall labor for the wind?
King James 2000
And this also is a great evil, that just as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he who has labored for the wind?
Modern King James verseion
And this also is a sore evil, that in all, as he came, so shall he go; and what profit does he have who has labored for the wind?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
This is a miserable plague, that he shall go away even as he came. What helpeth him then, that he hath labored in the wind?
NET Bible
This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?
New Heart English Bible
This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
The Emphasized Bible
Even this, moreover, is an incurable evil, altogether as he came, so, shall he depart, - what profit then shall he have who toileth for the wind?
Webster
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?
World English Bible
This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
Youngs Literal Translation
And this also is a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage is to him who laboureth for wind?
Themes
Labour » fields of activity » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Interlinear
Chalah
Ra`
References
Morish
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 5:16
Verse Info
Context Readings
Hoarding Wealth Can Backfire
15 Just as he came from his mother's womb naked, {he will depart} just as he came; he will take nothing with him for his toil. 16 This also [is] a grievous illness. Exactly as he came, so he will go. What profit [does] he gain for all his toil for the wind? 17 Also, he eats in darkness all his days; he is frustrated [in] much sickness and resentment.
Cross References
Proverbs 11:29
He who brings trouble [to] his household, he will inherit wind, and a fool will serve the wise of heart.
Ecclesiastes 1:3
What does a person gain in all his toil with which he toils under the sun?
1 Samuel 12:21
And do not turn aside after the triviality, which have no value and cannot deliver, for they are triviality.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
For what does a person receive for all his toil and in the longing of his heart with which he toils under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth {hoarded} by its owner to his harm.
Isaiah 26:18
We became pregnant, we writhed; we gave birth [to] wind. We cannot bring about deliverance [on the] earth, and no inhabitants of [the] world are born.
Jeremiah 2:8
The priests did not say, 'Where [is] Yahweh?' and those who handle the law did not know me, and the shepherds have {rebelled against me}, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and they went after [things which] do not profit.
Hosea 8:7
Because they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind. [The] standing grain does not have heads; it will not yield flour. [And] if it would yield, strangers would devour it.
Mark 8:36
For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
John 6:27
Do not work for the food that perishes, but the food that remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has set his seal on this one."