2:1 “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.”
But I found that it also is futile.
2:2 I said of partying, “It is folly,”
and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!”
2:3 I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine
(all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom)
and the effects of behaving foolishly,
so that I might discover what is profitable
for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
2:4 I increased my possessions:
I built houses for myself;
I planted vineyards for myself.
2:5 I designed royal gardens and parks for myself,
and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
2:6 I constructed pools of water for myself,
to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.
2:7 I purchased male and female slaves,
and I owned slaves who were born in my house;
I also possessed more livestock – both herds and flocks –
than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.
2:8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself,
as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces.
I acquired male singers and female singers for myself,
and what gives a man sensual delight – a harem of beautiful concubines!
2:9 So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,
yet I maintained my objectivity:
2:10 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted;
I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure.
So all my accomplishments gave me joy;
this was my reward for all my effort.
2:11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished
and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it,
I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless –
like chasing the wind!
There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
2:12 Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas.
For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?
2:13 I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly,
just as light is preferable to darkness: