³ I explored with my heart how to ^[a](A)stimulate my ^[b]body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize ^(B)simpleminded folly, until I could see ^(C)where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives.

¹² I know that ^[a]there is ^(A)nothing better for them than to be glad and to do good in one’s lifetime; ¹³ moreover, that every man who eats and drinks and sees good in all his labor—it is the ^(B)gift of God.

²² I have seen that ^(A)nothing is better than that man should be glad in his works, for that is his portion. For who will bring him to see ^(B)what will occur after him?

¹⁸ Here is what I have seen to be ^(A)good, which is ^[a]beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his ^(B)portion.

¹² For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few days of his vain life? He will make do with them like a ^(A)shadow. For who can tell a man ^(B)what will be after him under the sun?

¹⁵ So I laud gladness, for there is nothing good for ^(A)a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to ^[a]be merry, and this will join with him in his labor throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

⁷ Go then, ^(A)eat your bread in gladness and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.

¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, ^(A)you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’