1I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and, behold, this also was vanity.
2I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
3I 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.
4I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.
5I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
6I made myself pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared.
7I 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;