Parallel Verses
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 Like as he came naked out of his mother's womb, so goeth he thither again, and carryeth nothing away with him of all his labour. 16 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? 17 All the days of his life also must he eat in the dark, with great carefulness, sickness and sorrow.
Cross References
Proverbs 11:29
Whoso maketh disquietness in his own house, he shall have wind for his heritage; and the fool shall be servant to the wise.
Ecclesiastes 1:3
For what else hath a man, of all the labor that he taketh under the Sun?
1 Samuel 12:21
Neither turn ye after vain things which can not deliver you, for they are but vanities.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
For what getteth a man of all the labor and travail of his mind, that he taketh under the Sun,
Ecclesiastes 5:13
Yet is there a sore plague, which I have seen under the sun: namely, riches kept to the hurt of him that hath them in possession.
Isaiah 26:18
We have been with child, and suffered pain as though we had brought forth wind. For there is no salvation in the earth, neither do the inhabiters of the world submit them selves.
Jeremiah 2:8
The priests themselves said not once, 'Where is the LORD?' They that have the law in their hands, know me not: The shepherds offend against me. The Prophets do service unto Baal, and follow such things as shall bring them no profit.
Hosea 8:7
They have sown wind, therefore shall they reap a whirlwind. Their seed shall bear no corn, there shall no meal be made of their increase: though they reap, yet shall strangers devour it up.
Mark 8:36
What shall it profit a man, if he should win all the world and lose his own soul?
John 6:27
Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life, which meat the son of man shall give unto you. For him hath God the father sealed."