Parallel Verses
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?
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?
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?
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 As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turneth back to go as he came, and he taketh not away anything of his labour, that doth go in his hand. 16 And this also is a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage is to him who laboureth for wind? 17 Also all his days in darkness he consumeth, and sadness, and wrath, and sickness abound.
Cross References
Proverbs 11:29
Whoso is troubling his own house inheriteth wind, And a servant is the fool to the wise of heart.
Ecclesiastes 1:3
What advantage is to man by all his labour that he laboureth at under the sun?
1 Samuel 12:21
and ye do not turn aside after the vain things which do not profit nor deliver, for they are vain,
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
For what hath been to a man by all his labour, and by the thought of his heart that he laboured at under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.
Isaiah 26:18
We have conceived, we have been pained. We have brought forth as it were wind, Salvation we do not work in the earth, Nor do the inhabitants of the world fall.
Jeremiah 2:8
The priests have not said, 'Where is Jehovah?' And those handling the law have not known Me. And the shepherds transgressed against Me, And the prophets have prophesied by Baal, And after those who profit not have gone.
Hosea 8:7
For wind they sow, and a hurricane they reap, Stalk it hath none -- a shoot not yielding grain, If so be it yield -- strangers do swallow it up.
Mark 8:36
for what shall it profit a man, if he may gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
John 6:27
work not for the food that is perishing, but for the food that is remaining to life age-during, which the Son of Man will give to you, for him did the Father seal -- even God.'