Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
New American Standard Bible
4 I enlarged my works: I (A)built houses for myself, I planted (B)vineyards for myself; 5 I made (C)gardens and (D)parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 6 I made (E)ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and I had [a](F)slaves born at home. I also possessed flocks and (G)herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed for myself silver and (H)gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself (I)male and female singers, and the pleasures of the sons of mankind: many concubines.
9 Then I became (J)great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 (K)All that my eyes desired, I did not refuse them. I did not restrain my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my (L)reward for all my labor. 11 So I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had [b]exerted, and behold, all was (M)futility and striving after wind, and there was (N)no benefit under the sun.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 2:7 Lit sons
- Ecclesiastes 2:11 Lit labored to do
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
New Living Translation
4 I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. 8 I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.