Add parallel Print Page Options

The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure and gratification; so enjoy yourself and have a good time.” But behold, this too was vanity (futility, meaninglessness).(A) I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Read full chapter

The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions

I said [a]to myself, “Come now, I will test you with (A)pleasure. So [b]enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. (B)I said of laughter, “It is senseless,” and of pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” I explored with my [c]mind how to (C)refresh my body with wine while my [d]mind was guiding me wisely; and how to seize (D)foolishness, until I could see (E)what good there is for the sons of mankind [e]to do under heaven for the few [f]years of their lives.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:1 Lit in my heart
  2. Ecclesiastes 2:1 Lit consider with goodness
  3. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit heart
  4. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit heart
  5. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit which they do
  6. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit days