Ecclesiastes 2:1-8 ▼

1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with gladness, and look on the good!” And behold, this also is vapor.

2 Of laughter, I said, “It is madness,” and of joy, “What is this accomplishing?”

3 I searched in my heart to draw out my flesh with wine, and my heart was guiding me in wisdom, and to lay hold on folly, until that I might see where is this good for the sons of man, that they might do under the heavens the number of the days of their lives.

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

5 I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted in them a tree of every fruit.

6 I made for myself pools of water, to cause to drink from them a grove of sprouting trees.

7 I acquired menservants and maidservants, and sons of the house were unto me; also there were unto me great possessions of cattle and sheep, more than all who were before my face in Jerusalem;

8 I gathered for myself also silver and gold, and the property of kings and of the provinces; I appointed for myself male singers and female singers, and the delights of the sons of man—a wife and wives.