³ I explored with my ^[a]mind how to ^(A)stimulate my body with wine while my ^[b]mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of ^(B)folly, until I could see ^(C)what good there is for the sons of men ^[c]to do under heaven the few ^[d]years of their lives.

¹² I know that there is ^(A)nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; ¹³ moreover, that every man who eats and drinks 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 happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see ^(B)what will occur after him?

¹⁸ Here is what I have seen to be ^(A)good and ^[a]fitting: to eat, to drink and ^[b]enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few ^[c]years of his life which God has given him; for this is his ^[d](B)reward.

¹² For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few ^[a]years of his futile life? He will ^[b]spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man ^(A)what will be after him under the sun?

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

⁷ Go then, ^(A)eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved 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.”’