"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 labou…" — Ecclesiastes 5:16

Ecclesiastes 5:16 · 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

Verse 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.

Verse 17

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

Ecclesiastes 5 — Context

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

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.

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?

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

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. {It is good...: Heb. there is a good which is comely, etc} {all the days: Heb. the number of the days}

Cross References

Proverbs 11:29

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool {shall be} servant to the wise of heart.

Ecclesiastes 1:3

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Mark 8:36

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. {Labour not: or, Work not}

Ecclesiastes 5:13

There is a sore evil {which} I have seen under the sun, {namely}, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

Jeremiah 2:8

The priests said not, Where {is} the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after {things that} do not profit.

1 Samuel 12:21

And turn ye not aside: for {then should ye go} after vain {things}, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they {are} vain.

Hosea 8:7

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. {stalk: or, standing corn}