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.