Ecclesiastes 1:17-2:11

New International Version

¹⁷Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom,^(A) and also of madness and folly,^(B) but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

¹⁸For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;^(C)
the more knowledge, the more grief.^(D)

Pleasures Are Meaningless

2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure^(E) to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. ²“Laughter,”^(F) I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” ³I tried cheering myself with wine,^(G) and embracing folly^(H)—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

⁴I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself^(I) and planted vineyards.^(J) ⁵I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. ⁷I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves^(K) who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. ⁸I amassed silver and gold^(L) for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.^(M) I acquired male and female singers,^(N) and a harem^[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. ⁹I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem^(O) before me.^(P) In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

¹⁰I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
    I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
    and this was the reward for all my toil.
¹¹Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
    and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;^(Q)
    nothing was gained under the sun.^(R)