Ecclesiastes 2:1-10Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Emptiness of Pleasure

2 I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. ² I said about laughter, “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 and how to grasp folly—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.

The Emptiness of Possessions

⁴ I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. ⁵ I made gardens 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. ⁷ I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. ⁸ I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men.^{[c][d] 9} So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. ¹⁰ All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.