Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure

2:1 I thought to myself,1

“Come now,2 I will try3 self-indulgent pleasure4 to see5 if it is worthwhile.”6

But I found7 that it also is futile.8

2:2 I said of partying,9 “It is folly,”

and of self-indulgent pleasure,10 “It accomplishes nothing!”11

2:3 I thought deeply12 about the effects of13 indulging14 myself15 with wine

(all the while16 my mind was guiding me17 with wisdom)18

and the effects of19 behaving foolishly,20

so that21 I might discover what is profitable22

for people23 to do on earth24 during the few days25 of their lives.