Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (Revised Standard Version)
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1
I said to myself, "Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.
2
I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?"
3
I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine--my mind still guiding me with wisdom--and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
4
I made great works; I built houses and planted vineyards for myself;
5
I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.
6
I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.
7
I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house; I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.
8
I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces; I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, man's delight.
9
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me.
10
And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
11
Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version - Holy Bible)
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