Ecclesiastes 2:1-10 ▼

1 I said in my heart, “Pray, come, I try you with mirth, and look on gladness”; and behold, even it [is] vanity.

2 Of laughter I said, “Foolish!” And of mirth, “What [is] this it is doing?”

3 I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly until I see where this [is]—the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.

4 I made great my works, I built for myself houses, I planted for myself vineyards.

5 I made for myself gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

6 I made for myself pools of water, to water from them a forest shooting forth trees.

7 I acquired menservants, and maidservants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance—herd and flock—above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.

8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces. I prepared for myself men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of man—a wife and wives.

9 And I became great, and increased above everyone who had been before me in Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.

10 And all that my eyes asked I did not keep back from them; I did not withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this has been my portion, from all my labor,