Ecclesiastes 5:16
Parallel Verses
New International Version
This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?


English Standard Version
This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?


New American Standard Bible
This also is a grievous evil-- exactly as a man is born, thus will he die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?


King James Bible
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 Christian Standard Bible
This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain who struggles for the wind?


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?


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?


Douay-Rheims Bible
A most deplorable evil: as he came, so shall he return. What then doth it profit him that he hath laboured for the wind?


Darby Bible 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?


Commentaries
5:9-17 The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. There are bodily desires which silver itself will not satisfy, much less will worldly abundance satisfy spiritual desires. The more men have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests they must entertain, and the more they will have hanging on them. The sleep of the labourer is sweet, not only because he is tired, but because he has little care to break his sleep. The sleep of the diligent Christian, and his long sleep, are sweet; having spent himself and his time in the service of God, he can cheerfully repose in God as his Rest. But those who have every thing else, often fail to secure a good night's sleep; their abundance breaks their rest. Riches do hurt, and draw away the heart from God and duty. Men do hurt with their riches, not only gratifying their own lusts, but oppressing others, and dealing hardly with them. They will see that they have laboured for the wind, when, at death, they find the profit of their labour is all gone like the wind, they know not whither. How ill the covetous worldling bears the calamities of human life! He does not sorrow to repentance, but is angry at the providence of God, angry at all about him; which doubles his affliction.

16. Even supposing that he loses not his wealth before death, then at least he must go stripped of it all (Ps 49:17).

laboured for the wind—(Ho 12:1; 1Co 9:26).

Ecclesiastes 5:15
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