Ecclesiastes 5:16

In 11 translations

BSB

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

KJV

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?

WEB

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?

ASV

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?

LSV

And this also [is] a painful evil, just as he came, so he goes, and what advantage [is] to him who labors for wind?

YLT

And this also [is] a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage [is] to him who laboureth for wind?

DBY

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?

DRC5:15

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

GNV5:15

And this also is an euill sickenes that in all pointes as he came, so shall he goe, and what profit hath he that he hath traueiled for the winde?

JPS5:15

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 laboureth for the wind?

LXXE5:15

And this is also an evil infirmity: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labours?

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC5:15

וְגַם־זֹה֙ רָעָ֣ה חוֹלָ֔ה כָּל־עֻמַּ֥ת שֶׁבָּ֖א כֵּ֣ן יֵלֵ֑ךְ וּמַה־יִּתְר֣וֹן ל֔וֹ שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל לָרֽוּחַ׃KJV:Eccl.5.16

LXX-Br5:15

Καί γε τοῦτο πονηρὰ ἀῤῥωστία· ὥσπερ γὰρ παρεγένετο, οὕτως καὶ ἀπελεύσεται· καὶ τίς ἡ περίσσεια αὐτοῦ ᾗ μοχθεῖ εἰς ἄνεμον;

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Proverbs 11:29He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
• Ecclesiastes 1:3What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?
• Mark 8:36What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
• Ecclesiastes 5:13There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
• John 6:27Do 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.”
• 1 Samuel 12:21Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.
• Jeremiah 2:8The 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.
• Hosea 8:7For 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.
• Ecclesiastes 2:22–23For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun? 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.
• Isaiah 26:18We 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.

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).