1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is

good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.

2“Laughter,” I said, “is madness.

And what does pleasure accomplish?”

3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and

embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was

good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.

5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

7 I bought male and female slaves

and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and

flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

8 I amassed silver and gold for myself,

and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a

harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.

9 I became greater by far than

anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;

I refused my heart no pleasure.

My heart took delight in all my labor,

and this was the reward for all my toil.

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done

and what I had toiled to achieve,

everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;

nothing was gained under the sun.