Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
Lexham English Bible
Qohelet’s Investigation of Personal Accomplishment
4 I accomplished great things.[a] I built for myself houses; I planted for myself vineyards. 5 I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted all sorts of fruit trees in them. 6 I made for myself pools of water from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male slaves and female slaves, as well as children born in my house. I also had livestock, cattle, and flocks more than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered to myself silver and gold—the royal and provincial treasuries. I acquired for myself male and female singers, as well as the delight of men,[b] voluptuous concubines.[c]
9 Thus, I accomplished far more[d] than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem—indeed, my wisdom stood by me. 10 I neither withheld anything from my eyes that they desired, nor did I deprive any pleasure from my heart. My heart rejoiced in all my toil, for this was my reward from all my toil. 11 Yet when I considered[e] all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, “Everything is vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 2:4 Literally “I made great my works”
- Ecclesiastes 2:8 Literally “the sons of the man”
- Ecclesiastes 2:8 Literally “a breast and breasts,” as a synecdoche for beautiful women in the king’s harem
- Ecclesiastes 2:9 Literally “I became great and I surpassed”
- Ecclesiastes 2:11 Or “turned to”
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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