Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. New Living Translation We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. English Standard Version As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. Berean Standard Bible As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands. King James Bible As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. New King James Version As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. New American Standard Bible As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will carry nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can bring in his hand. Amplified Bible As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came; and he will take away nothing from all his labor that he can carry in his hand. Christian Standard Bible As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. Holman Christian Standard Bible As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. American Standard Version As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. Contemporary English Version They came into this world naked, and when they die, they will be just as naked. They can't take anything with them, and they won't have anything to show for all their work. English Revised Version As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. GOD'S WORD® Translation They came from their mother's womb naked. They will leave as naked as they came. They won't even be able to take a handful of their earnings with them from all their hard work. Good News Translation 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. International Standard Version Just as he came naked from his mother's womb, he will leave as naked as he came; he will receive no profit from his efforts— he cannot carry away even a handful. Majority Standard Bible As a man came from his mother?s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands. NET Bible Just as he came forth from his mother\'s womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil. New Heart English Bible As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. Webster's Bible Translation As he came into the world, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. World English Bible As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turns back to go as he came, and he does not take away anything of his labor, that goes in his hand. Young's Literal Translation As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turneth back to go as he came, and he taketh not away anything of his labour, that doth go in his hand. Smith's Literal Translation According as he came forth from his mother's womb, naked he shall turn back to go as he came, and he shall not take away anything in his labor that shall go in his hand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs he came forth naked from his mother's womb, so shall he return, and shall take nothing away with him of his labour. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible As they came forth from their mother’s womb, so again shall they return, naked as they came, having nothing from their toil to bring with them. New Revised Standard Version As they came from their mother’s womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he return to the earth to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Just as he goes forth from the womb of his mother naked, he will return to go as he came, and he will take nothing of his labor to go in his hand OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. Brenton Septuagint Translation As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labour, that it should go with him in his hand. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Wealth…14or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on. 15As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands. 16This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?… Cross References Job 1:21 saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. Psalm 49:17 For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. Psalm 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. Luke 12:20-21 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” 1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. James 1:10-11 But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Proverbs 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. Psalm 49:10 For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. Luke 16:22-23 One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, Isaiah 40:6-8 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Psalm 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Treasury of Scripture As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Psalm 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Jump to Previous Belly Birth Carry Departs Forth Fruit Gets Hand Labor Mother Mother's Naked Toil Turneth Womb Work WorldJump to Next Belly Birth Carry Departs Forth Fruit Gets Hand Labor Mother Mother's Naked Toil Turneth Womb Work WorldEcclesiastes 5 1. vanities in divine service8. in murmuring against oppression 9. and in riches 18. Joy in riches is the gift of God. As a man came from his mother’s womb This phrase emphasizes the beginning of human life, highlighting the vulnerability and dependency of a newborn. In biblical context, it reflects the creation narrative where God forms man from the dust (Genesis 2:7), underscoring the idea that life is a gift from God. The imagery of birth is used throughout Scripture to symbolize new beginnings and the purity of life before the accumulation of worldly possessions and sin. so he will depart again naked as he arrived He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes reflects his reflections on the meaning of life and the futility of human endeavors without God. 2. Mother's Womb - This phrase symbolizes the beginning of life, emphasizing the natural state of human existence at birth—naked and without possessions. 3. Departure - Refers to death, the inevitable end of human life, highlighting the transient nature of earthly possessions and achievements. Teaching Points The Transience of Material WealthEarthly possessions are temporary and cannot accompany us beyond this life. This truth should shift our focus from accumulating wealth to seeking eternal treasures. Contentment in Godliness True contentment comes from a relationship with God, not from material possessions. We should strive for godliness and contentment, which have eternal value. Stewardship of Resources While we cannot take our wealth with us, we are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, using it to bless others and further His kingdom. Eternal Perspective Keeping an eternal perspective helps us prioritize our lives according to God's will, focusing on what truly matters in the light of eternity. Humility and Gratitude Recognizing our humble beginnings and inevitable end fosters humility and gratitude for the blessings we receive, encouraging us to live generously and selflessly.(15) There is a clear use of Job 1:21. (See also Psalm 139:15.) And this passage itself is used in Ecclesiasticus 40:1.Verse 15. - The case of the rich man who has lost his property is here generalized. What is true of him is, in a measure, true of every one, so far as he can carry nothing away with him when he dies (Psalm 49:17). As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came. There is a plain reference to Job 1:21, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither." The mother is the earth, human beings being regarded as her offspring. So the psalmist says, "My frame was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth" (Psalm 139:15). And Ben-Sira, "Great trouble is created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb till the day that they return to the mother of all things." 1 Timothy 6:7, "We brought nothing into the world, neither can we carry anything out." Thus Propertius, 'Eleg.,' 3:5. 13 - "Hand ullas portabis opes Acherontis ad undas, "No wealth thou'lt take to Acheron's dark shore, Hebrew Asכַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that [a man] came יָצָא֙ (yā·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim from his mother’s אִמּ֔וֹ (’im·mōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) womb, מִבֶּ֣טֶן (mib·be·ṭen) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything so he will depart לָלֶ֖כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk again: יָשׁ֥וּב (yā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again naked עָר֛וֹם (‘ā·rō·wm) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6174: Nude, either partially, totally as he arrived. כְּשֶׁבָּ֑א (kə·šeb·bā) Preposition-k, Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go He takes יִשָּׂ֣א (yiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take nothing וּמְא֙וּמָה֙ (ū·mə·’ū·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3972: A speck, point, nothing for his labor בַעֲמָל֔וֹ (ḇa·‘ă·mā·lōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind to carry שֶׁיֹּלֵ֖ךְ (še·yō·lêḵ) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk in his hands. בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ (bə·yā·ḏōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand Links Ecclesiastes 5:15 NIVEcclesiastes 5:15 NLT Ecclesiastes 5:15 ESV Ecclesiastes 5:15 NASB Ecclesiastes 5:15 KJV Ecclesiastes 5:15 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 5:15 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 5:15 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 5:15 French Bible Ecclesiastes 5:15 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came forth from his mother's (Ecclesiast. 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