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

biblegateway Ecc 5:16

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?

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

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

biblegateway Ecc 5:16

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

bibleoremus Ecc 5:16

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?

This too is a singular evil: exactly as he came, so shall he go, and what profit does he get when his labour is all for the wind?

biblegateway Ecc 5:16

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?

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?

biblegateway Ecc 5:16

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.