1I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose.
2Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
3I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
4I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens.
5I made myself gardens and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all sorts.
6I made pools to give water for the woods with their young trees.
7I got men-servants and women-servants, and they gave birth to sons and daughters in my house. I had great wealth of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
