for the wealth itself perishes in an uncertainty which is distressing: so that when he begets an heir, he has in his hand just nothing at all.
(14.) And perishes, that riches, that same (as we should say, ‘those very same riches’) in an uncertainty (בענין, another instance of this word; we see that in this case also [see [chapter i. 13], references], the meaning ‘anxious uncertainty’ exactly suits the context), which is an evil (this anxious care, instead of doing any good, is but a simple mischief), and he is caused to beget a son (to whom, of course, he would have wished to bequeath his wealth), and there is nothing in his hand at all (which the LXX. render by a double negative, and hence we must render ‘and has in his hand even nothing at all’).
15 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.
For naked as when he came forth from the womb of his mother does he go out of the world again; and nothing whatever does he take from his care, which he can hold in his hand.
(15.) And as he came out from the womb of his mother naked (which is reserved to the end of the clause, making it emphatic; it is moreover written full, so that a slight additional emphasis is given by this to the ‘state of nakedness’ existing), he returns to go back (somewhat stronger than goes back——he comes to this state through intermediate stages) just as he came (‘as he was at the first, so now is he at the last’), and nothing at all does he not lift up (Genesis vii. 17, ‘bear’ as a burden) in his toil (as we say, ‘have for his pains,’ observing the meaning of עמל, not the labour but the anxiety which causes, or results from, the labour) which he takes in his hand.
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?