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 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?

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 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?