Holman Christian Standard Bible

Ecclesiastes 2:1-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1. I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile.

2. I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish? ”

3. I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly — my mind still guiding me with wisdom — until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

4. I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

5. I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.