Ecclesiastes 5:16 Parallel Translations

This also is a painful tragedy: They leave exactly as they came. What advantage do they gain from working so hard for the wind?(GOD'S WORD®)

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?

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?

BBE:

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?

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?

ERV:

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?

JPS:

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?

WBS:

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?

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?

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?

Ecclesiastes 5:16 Cross References

XREF:

Proverbs 11:29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.

Ecclesiastes 1:3 What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 2:11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 3:9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

5:16 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 laboured for the {m} wind?
(m) Meaning, in vain and without profit.

WES:

5:16 The wind - For riches, which are empty and unsatisfying, uncertain and transitory, which no man can hold or stay in its course, all which are the properties of the wind.

MHC:

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.

CONC:

Advantage Born Departs Die Evil Evil-exactly Gain Grievous Labored Laboreth Labors Laboured Laboureth Painful Points Profit Sore Thus Toiled Toils Wind Working

Advantage Born Departs Die Evil Gain Great Grievous Labors Laboureth Painful Points Profit Sore Toiled Toils Wind Working

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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