^{2 Ref} I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

^{3 Ref} I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

^{4 Ref} I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

^{5 Ref} I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.

^{6 Ref} I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared.

^{7 Ref} I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem;

^{8 Ref} I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men--musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

^{9 Ref} So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

^{10 Ref} Whatever my eyes desired, I didn't keep from them. I didn't withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.

^{11 Ref} Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

^{12 Ref} I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.