The Vanity of Pleasure and Possessions

2 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with ^(A)gladness, so that you shall see good things.” And behold, it too was vanity. ^2 (B)I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of gladness, “What does it do?” ³ I explored with my heart how to ^[a](C)stimulate my ^[b]body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize ^(D)simpleminded folly, until I could see ^(E)where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives.