1. I thought to myself,“Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.”But I found that it also is futile.
2. I said of partying, “It is folly,”and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!”
3. I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine(all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom)and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitablefor people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
4. I increased my possessions:I built houses for myself;I planted vineyards for myself.
5. I designed royal gardens and parks for myself,and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6. I constructed pools of water for myself,to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.
7. I purchased male and female slaves,and I owned slaves who were born in my house;I also possessed more livestock – both herds and flocks – than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.
8. I also amassed silver and gold for myself,as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces.I acquired male singers and female singers for myself,and what gives a man sensual delight – a harem of beautiful concubines!
9. So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,yet I maintained my objectivity:
10. I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted;I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure.So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.
11. Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplishedand on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it,I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless – like chasing the wind!There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
12. Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas.For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?
13. I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly,just as light is preferable to darkness: