Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
World English Bible
4 I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. 6 I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown. 7 I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men: musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. 11 Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
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Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
Christian Standard Bible
The Emptiness of Possessions
4 I increased my achievements. I built houses(A) and planted vineyards(B) for myself. 5 I made gardens(C) and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.(D) 7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house.(E) I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.(F) 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.(G) I gathered male and female singers for myself,(H) and many concubines, the delights of men.[a][b] 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem;(I) my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them.(J) I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.(K) 11 When I considered all that I had accomplished[c] and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind.[d](L) There was nothing to be gained under the sun.(M)
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