Ecclesiastes 5:16

This is another misfortune: ¹  Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

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

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?

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.

This is bad luck, for sure--naked he came, naked he went. So what was the point of working for a salary of smoke?

And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind?

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?

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?

This is another misfortune: ¹  Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

¹ tn See the note on the phrase “depressing misfortune” in v. 13.