1. I thought to myself, “Now I want to experiment with pleasure and enjoy myself.” But even this was pointless.
2. I thought, “Laughter doesn’t make any sense. What does pleasure accomplish?”
3. I explored ways to make myself feel better by drinking wine. I also explored ways to do ⌊some⌋ foolish things. During all that time, wisdom continued to control my mind. I was able to determine whether this was good for mortals to do during their brief lives under heaven.
4. I accomplished some great things:I built houses for myself.I planted vineyards for myself.
5. I made gardens and parks for myself.I planted every kind of fruit tree in them.
6. I made pools to water the forest of growing trees.
7. I bought male and female slaves.In addition, slaves were born in my household.I owned more herds and flocksthan anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8. I also gathered silver and gold for myself.I gathered the treasures of kings and provinces.I provided myself with male and female singersand the pleasures men have with one concubine after another.
9. So I grew richer than anyone in Jerusalem before me. Yet, my wisdom remained with me.
10. If something appealed to me, I did it. I allowed myself to have any pleasure I wanted, since I found pleasure in my work. This was my reward for all my hard work.