16 This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,

and what do they gain,

since they toil for the wind?

16 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?

16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind.

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?

16 This, too, is real misery:

They leave just as they came.

So what do they gain from chasing the wind?

16 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?

16 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?

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

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

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?

16 This also is a grievous illness. Exactly as he came, so he will go. What profit does he gain for all his toil for the wind?

16 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.

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?