1
I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and, behold, this also was vanity.
2
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
3
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
4
I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.
5
I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
6
I made myself pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared.
7
I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem;
8
I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men -- musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
10
Whatever my eyes desired, I didn`t keep from them. I didn`t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.
11
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
12
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king`s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.