Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 ▼

1 I SAID to my heart, Come now, I will prove you with joy; therefore enjoy good things; and, behold, this also is vanity.

2 I said of laughter, What pleasure is there in it? and of mirth, What do you accomplish?

3 I thought in my heart to give myself to wine, but my heart reasoned with wisdom; and I laid hold upon understanding, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their lives.

4 I multiplied my servants; I built myself houses; I planted vineyards for myself:

5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them trees of all kinds of fruit;

6 I made myself pools of water, to irrigate the nursery that produces trees.

7 I got for myself menservants and maidservants, and had a great household; also I had great possessions of cattle and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

8 I gathered for myself silver and gold and the possessions of kings and cities; I got me men singers and women singers and the delights of the sons of men, and I appointed for myself butlers and waitresses.

9 So I became great, and my wealth increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.