Ecclesiastes 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 he laboureth for the wind?

Revised Version 1895

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 of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed and hath 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 5:13There 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: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Mark 8:36For what doth 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