5. I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;
6. I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.
7. I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.
8. Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men-many concubines.
9. Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.
10. All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.
11. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
12. So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?
13. And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.
14. The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I know that one fate befalls them both.