Ecclesiastes 5:16

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?

World English Bible Classic

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 out of 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 he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 5

Cross References

1 Samuel 12:21Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain.

Ecclesiastes 1:3What does man gain 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: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

Jeremiah 2:8The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. The rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed things that do not profit.

Mark 8:36For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

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