| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | NET Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1I thought to myself, "Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile." But I found that it also is futile. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2I said of partying, "It is folly," and of self-indulgent pleasure, "It accomplishes nothing!" |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock--both herds and flocks--than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight--a harem of beautiful concubines! |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity: |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless--like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth." |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king's successor do than what the king has already done? |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness: |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15So I thought to myself, "The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?" So I lamented to myself, "The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!" |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies--just like the fool! |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile--like chasing the wind. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile! |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice! |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth? |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile! |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth--only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile--like chasing the wind! |
|
    |