Ecclesiastes 2:4–12

4 I enlarged my works: I abuilt houses for myself, I planted bvineyards for myself;

5 I made agardens and bparks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

6 I made aponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.

7 I bought male and female slaves and I had 1ahomeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and bherds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.

8 Also, I collected for myself silver and agold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself bmale and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines.

9 Then I became agreat and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.

10 aAll that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my breward for all my labor.

11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had 1exerted, and behold all was 2avanity and striving after wind and there was bno profit under the sun.

Wisdom Excels Folly

12 So I turned to aconsider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except bwhat has already been done?