Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 ▼

1 I said in mine heart, Goe to nowe, I will proue thee with ioy: therefore take thou pleasure in pleasant things: and beholde, this also is vanitie.

2 I saide of laughter, Thou art mad: and of ioy, What is this that thou doest?

3 I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe to wine, and to leade mine heart in wisdome, and to take holde of follie, till I might see where is that goodnesse of the children of men, which they enioy vnder the sunne: the whole nomber of the dayes of their life.

4 I haue made my great workes: I haue built me houses: I haue planted me vineyards.

5 I haue made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them trees of all fruite.

6 I haue made me cisternes of water, to water therewith the woods that growe with trees.

7 I haue gotten seruants and maides, and had children borne in the house: also I had great possession of beeues and sheepe aboue all that were before me in Ierusalem.

8 I haue gathered vnto me also siluer and gold, and the chiefe treasures of Kings & prouinces: I haue prouided me men singers and women singers, and the delites of the sonnes of men, as a woman taken captiue, & women taken captiues.

9 And I was great, & increased aboue all that were before me in Ierusalem: also my wisedome remained with me.