Ecclesiastes 5:16 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

And this also is a serious and severe evil--that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he who labors for the wind? [I Tim. 6:6.]

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And this also is a serious and severe evil–that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he who labors for the wind? [I Tim. 6:6.]

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain who struggles for the wind?

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

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?

English EASY 2024

This is also a terrible thing to happen. People leave this earth with nothing, as they came into it with nothing. All their hard work has been useless, like someone who tries to catch the wind.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

It is very sad that people leave the world just as they came. So what does a person gain from "trying to catch the wind"?

This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?

English GNT (Good News Translation)

It isn't right! We go just as we came. We labor, trying to catch the wind, and what do we get?

English God's Word - GW 1995

This also is a painful tragedy: They leave exactly as they came. What advantage do they gain from working so hard for the wind?

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does he gain who struggles for the wind?

English KJV 1611

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?

English LSB

This also is a sickening evil—exactly as a man came, so will he go. So what is the advantage to him who labors for the wind?

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

And this also is a grave misery: As he entered, so will he leave; what benefit is there to the one who toils for the wind?

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

This also is a grievous evil--exactly as a man is born, thus will he die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

All the days of his life are passed in gloom and sorrow, under great vexation, sickness and wrath.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Here's something else that is very evil. A man is born, and a man dies. And what does he get for his work? Nothing. It's like working for the wind.

English NIV

This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?

English NKJ 1982

And this also is a severe evil— Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

English NLT

And this, too, is a very serious problem. As people come into this world, so they depart. All their hard work is for nothing. They have been working for the wind, and everything will be swept away.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

This also is a grievous ill: just as they came, so shall they go; and what gain do they have from toiling for the wind?

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he that he toiled for the wind,

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

This, as I said, is a very serious problem, for all his hard work has been for nothing; he has been working for the wind. It is all swept away.

English Tyndale 1537

This is a miserable plague, that he shall go away even as he came. What helpeth him then, that he hath labored in the wind?