1I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; Ec 7:4; 8:15; Lk 12:19 enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile.

2I said about laughter, Pr 14:13; Ec 7:3,6 “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish? ”

3I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life Lit to pull my body with wine Ps 104:15; Ec 10:19 and how to grasp folly Ec 7:25 — my mind still guiding me with wisdom — until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven Two Hb mss, LXX, Syr read the sun during the few days of their lives. Ec 2:24; 3:12,13; 5:18; 8:15

4I increased my achievements. I built houses 1Kg 7:1-12 and planted vineyards Sg 8:11 for myself.

5I made gardens Sg 4:16 and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

6I constructed reservoirs of water for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. Neh 2:14; 3:15-16

7I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. Gn 14:14; 15:3 I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 1Kg 4:23

8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. 1Kg 9:28; 10:10,14,21 I gathered male and female singers for myself, 2Sm 19:35 and many concubines, the delights of men. LXX, Theod, Syr read and male cupbearers and female cupbearers ; Aq, Tg, Vg read a cup and cups ; Hb obscure Or many treasures that people delight in

9So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; 1Ch 29:25; Ec 1:16 my wisdom also remained with me.

10All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. Ec 6:2 I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. Ec 3:22; 5:18; 9:9

11When I considered all that I had accomplished Lit all my works that my hands had done and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. Ec 1:14; 2:22-23 There was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ec 1:3; 3:9; 5:16

12Then I turned to consider wisdom, Ec 1:17 madness, and folly, for what will the man be like who comes after the king? He Some Hb mss read They will do what has already been done. Ec 1:9-10; 3:15

13And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness. Ec 7:11-12,19; 9:18; 10:10

18I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun Ec 1:3; 2:11 because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. Ps 39:6; 49:10; Pr 13:22

19And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Ezk 18:9-10 Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.

20So I began to give myself over Lit And I turned to cause my heart to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun.

21When there is a man whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, Ec 4:4 and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong.

22For what does a man get with all his work and all his efforts Ec 1:3; 2:11 that he labors at under the sun?

23For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; Jb 5:7; 14:1 even at night, his mind does not rest. Ps 127:2 This too is futile.

24There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy Syr, Tg; MT reads There is no good in man who eats and drinks and enjoys Lit and his soul sees good his work. Ec 2:3; 3:12-13,22; 5:18; 6:12; 8:15; 9:7; Is 56:12; Lk 12:19; 1Co 15:32; 1Tm 6:17 I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, Ec 3:13

25because who can eat and who can enjoy life LXX, Theod, Syr read can drink apart from Him? Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr read me

26For to the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, Jb 32:8; Pr 2:6 but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. Jb 27:16-17; Pr 13:22; 28:8 This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Ec 1:14