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15 (A)We leave this world just as we entered it—with nothing. In spite of all our work there is nothing we can take with us. 16 It isn't right! We go just as we came. We labor, trying to catch the wind, and what do we get? 17 We get to live our lives in darkness and grief,[a] worried, angry, and sick.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:17 Some ancient translations in darkness and grief; Hebrew eating in darkness.

15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.(A)
They take nothing from their toil(B)
    that they can carry in their hands.(C)

16 This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,
    and what do they gain,
    since they toil for the wind?(D)
17 All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

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