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)
Read full chapter
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
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.