1. I said in my heart: "I will go forth and overflow with delights, and I will enjoy good things." And I saw that this, too, is emptiness.
2. Laughter, I considered an error. And to rejoicing, I said: "Why are you being deceived, to no purpose?"
3. I decided in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I might bring my mind to wisdom, and turn away from foolishness, until I see what is useful for the sons of men, and what they ought to do under the sun, during the number of the days of their life.
4. I magnified my works. I built houses for myself, and I planted vineyards.
5. I made gardens and orchards. And I planted them with trees of every kind.
6. And I dug out fishponds of water, so that I might irrigate the forest of growing trees.
7. I obtained men and women servants, and I had a great family, as well as herds of cattle and great flocks of sheep, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.
8. I amassed for myself silver and gold, and the wealth of kings and governors. I chose men and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, bowls and pitchers for the purpose of pouring wine.
9. And I surpassed in opulence all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also persevered with me.
10. And all that my eyes desired, I did not refuse them. Neither did I prohibit my heart from enjoying every pleasure, and from amusing itself in the things that I had prepared. And I regarded this as my share, as if I were making use of my own labors.
11. But when I turned myself toward all the works that my hands had made, and to the labors in which I had perspired to no purpose, I saw emptiness and affliction of the soul in all things, and that nothing is permanent under the sun.
12. I continued on, so as to contemplate wisdom, as well as error and foolishness. "What is man," I said, "that he would be able to follow his Maker, the King?"
13. And I saw that wisdom surpasses foolishness, so much so that they differ as much as light from darkness.