Ecclesiastes 5:16 “This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he wil…”

Ecclesiastes 5:16

This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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?

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?

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?

Geneva Bible 1599

Also all his dayes hee eateth in darkenes with much griefe, and in his sorowe and anger.

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?

Young's 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?

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?

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“a sore”

Ecclesiastes 5:13 Ecclesiastes 2:22 Ecclesiastes 2:23

Ecclesiastes 5:13 · BSB

There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

Ecclesiastes 2:22 · BSB

For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 2:23 · BSB

Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

“what”

Mark 8:36 1 Samuel 12:21 Jeremiah 2:8

Mark 8:36 · BSB

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

1 Samuel 12:21 · BSB

Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.

Jeremiah 2:8 · BSB

The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.

“for”

Ecclesiastes 1:3 Proverbs 11:29 John 6:27 Isaiah 26:18 Hosea 8:7

Ecclesiastes 1:3 · BSB

What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?

Proverbs 11:29 · BSB

He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

John 6:27 · BSB

Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Isaiah 26:18 · BSB

We were with child; we writhed in pain; but we gave birth to wind. We have given no salvation to the earth, nor brought any life into the world.

Hosea 8:7 · BSB

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.

17Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.

Read Ecclesiastes 5