Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 ▼

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.

9 So I grew richer than anyone in Jerusalem before me. Yet, my wisdom remained with me.