NASB
"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?"
— Ecclesiastes 5:16, NASB
“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?”
“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? ”
“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?”
“This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?”
“All the days of his life he eateth in darkness, and in many cares, and in misery, and sorrow.”
“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?”
“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?”
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.
When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.
As he had come naked from his mother's womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.
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?
Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.
Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.