1. I said in my heart: I will go, and abound with delights, and enjoy good things. And I saw that this also was vanity.
2. Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?
3. I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.
4. I made me great works, I built me houses, and planted vineyards,
5. I made gardens, and orchards, and set them with trees of all kinds,
6. And I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the wood of the young trees,
7. I got me menservants, and maidservants, and had a great family: and herds of oxen, and great flocks of sheep, above all that were before me in Jerusalem:
8. I heaped together for myself silver and gold, and the wealth of kings, and provinces: I made me singing men, and singing women, and the delights of the sons of men, cups and vessels to serve to pour out wine:
9. And I surpassed in riches all that were before me in Jerusalem: my wisdom also remained with me.