Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Emptiness of Pleasure

2 I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure;^(A) enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. ² I said about laughter,^(B) “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” ³ I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life^[a] with wine^(C) and how to grasp folly^(D)—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven^[b] during the few days of their lives.^(E)

The Emptiness of Possessions

⁴ I increased my achievements. I built houses^(F) and planted vineyards^(G) for myself. ⁵ I made gardens^(H) and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. ⁶ I constructed reservoirs of water for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.^{(I) 7} I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house.^(J) I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.^{(K) 8} I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.^(L) I gathered male and female singers for myself,^(M) and many concubines, the delights of men.^{[c][d] 9} So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem;^(N) my wisdom also remained with me. ¹⁰ All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them.^(O) I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.^{(P) 11} When I considered all that I had accomplished^[e] and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind.^(Q) There was nothing to be gained under the sun.^(R)