Ecclesiastes 5:16 — Bible Verse (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?”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 — King James Version (KJV), 1611

Ecclesiastes 5:16 in 6 Bible Translations

Read Ecclesiastes 5:16 in the King James Version (KJV) and 5 other free, public-domain translations side by side.

Ecclesiastes 5:16 WEB — World English Bible (2000)

“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?”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 — World English Bible

Ecclesiastes 5:16 ASV — American Standard Version (1901)

“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? ”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 — American Standard Version

Ecclesiastes 5:16 YLT — Young's Literal Translation (1862)

“And this also <FI>is<Fi> a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage <FI>is<Fi> to him who laboureth for wind?”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 — Young's Literal Translation

Ecclesiastes 5:16 DBY — Darby Translation (1890)

“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? ”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 — Darby Translation

Ecclesiastes 5:16 GEN — Geneva Bible (1599)

“Also all his dayes hee eateth in darkenes with much griefe, and in his sorowe and anger.”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 — Geneva Bible

Ecclesiastes 5:16 in Context — Ecclesiastes 5

14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

16 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?

17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Read the full chapter: Ecclesiastes 5 — Peace with God Through Faith →

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:16 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:16 is a verse from the Book of Ecclesiastes, part of the Old Testament. It appears in Ecclesiastes chapter 5. Use The Living Sword's word-by-word study mode to explore every word in the original Hebrew and Aramaic.

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