1. I said to myself, “I should have fun—I should enjoy everything as much as I can.” But I learned that this is also useless.
2. It is foolish to laugh all the time. Having fun does not do any good.
3. So I decided to fill my body with wine while I filled my mind with wisdom. I tried this foolishness because I wanted to find a way to be happy. I wanted to see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.
4. Then I began doing great things. I built houses, and I planted vineyards for myself.
5. I planted gardens, and I made parks. I planted all kinds of fruit trees.
6. I made pools of water for myself, and I used them to water my growing trees.
7. I bought men and women slaves, and there were slaves born in my house. I owned many great things. I had herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. I owned more things than any other person in Jerusalem did.
8. I also gathered silver and gold for myself. I took treasures from kings and their nations. I had men and women singing for me. I had everything any man could want.