^{3 Ref} I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where `is' this -- the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.

^{4 Ref} I made great my works, I builded for me houses, I planted for me vineyards.

^{5 Ref} I made for me gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

^{6 Ref} I made for me pools of water, to water from them a forest shooting forth trees.

^{7 Ref} I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance -- herd and flock -- above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.

^{8 Ref} I gathered for me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces. I prepared for me men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of man -- a wife and wives.

^{9 Ref} And I became great, and increased above every one who had been before me in Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.

^{10 Ref} And all that mine eyes asked I kept not back from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour, and this hath been my portion, from all my labour,

^{11 Ref} and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole `is' vanity and vexation of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun!