The Futility of Pleasure

I said to myself,“Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!”

But it proved to be futile.

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I said of laughter,“It is folly,” and of pleasure,“What does it accomplish?”

3 

I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly— my mind still guiding me with wisdom— until I could see what [was] worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

4 

I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.

7 

I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me, 8 and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men — many concubines.

9 

So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me and my wisdom remained with me. 10 Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

11 

Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and [what] I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

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