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1 I thought to myself, |Now I want to experiment with pleasure and enjoy myself.| But even this was pointless. 2 I thought, |Laughter doesn't make any sense. What does pleasure accomplish?| 3 I explored ways to make myself feel better by drinking wine. I also explored ways to do [some] foolish things. During all that time, wisdom continued to control my mind. I was able to determine whether this was good for mortals to do during their brief lives under heaven. 4 I accomplished some great things: I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself. I planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I made pools to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves. In addition, slaves were born in my household. I owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself. I gathered the treasures of kings and provinces. I provided myself with male and female singers and the pleasures men have with one concubine after another. Ecclesiastes 2:1-8, God's Word Translation. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations.
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