Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
1)Then I said in my heart: “Come and let me try out pleasure and see what good comes.” But look! that too was futility.
2)I said about laughter, “It is madness!”And about pleasure, “What use is it?”
3)I explored with my heart by indulging myself with wine, all the while maintaining my own wisdom; I even embraced foolishness to find out what was the best thing for humans to do during their few days of life under the heavens.
4)I undertook great works. I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.
5)I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all sorts of fruit trees.
6)I made pools of water for myself, to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.
7)I acquired male and female servants, and I had servants born in my household. I also acquired much livestock—cattle and flocks—more than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.
8)I accumulated silver and gold for myself, the treasures of kings and of provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, as well as what brings great pleasure to the sons of men—a woman, yes, many women.
9) So I grew great and surpassed anyone prior to me in Jerusalem. And my wisdom remained with me
10)I did not deny myself anything that I desired. I did not withhold from my heart any sort of pleasure, for my heart was joyful because of all my hard work, and this was my reward for all my hard work.
11)But when I reflected on all the works that my own hands had done and on all the hard work that I had toiled to accomplish, I saw that everything was futile, a chasing after the wind; there was nothing of real value under the sun.
