Ecclesiastes 5:16

(5-15) 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?

JPS TaNaKH 1917

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

15(5-14) As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

17(5-16) All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 5

Cross References

1 Samuel 12:21and turn ye not aside; for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.

Ecclesiastes 1:3What profit hath man of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 5:13(5-12) There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;

Jeremiah 2:8The priests said not: 'Where is the LORD?' And they that handle the law knew Me not, and the rulers transgressed against Me; the prophets also prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

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 →

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Study Ecclesiastes 5:16