Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 ▼

1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with gladness, so that you shall see good things.” And behold, it too was vanity.

2 I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of gladness, “What does it do?”

3 I explored with my heart how to stimulate my body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize simpleminded folly, until I could see where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives.

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

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

6 I made for myself pools of water from which to water a forest of growing trees.

7 I bought male and female slaves, and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.

8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of the sons of men—many concubines.

9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.