Ecclesiastes 5:16

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?

A Conservative Version

In The 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?

In Context

15As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

17All his days also he eats in gloom, and he is greatly troubled, and has depression and anger.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 5

Cross References

1 Samuel 12:21And turn ye not aside after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.

Ecclesiastes 1:3What profit has man from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 5:13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches [were] kept by the owner of it to his hurt.

Jeremiah 2:8The priests did not say, Where is LORD? and those who handle the law did not know me. The rulers also transgressed against me. And the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Mark 8:36For what will it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 5:10-18

The Vanity of Riches. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 5:16