3. So I decided to fill my body with wine while I filled my mind with wisdom. I tried this foolishness because I wanted to find a way to be happy. I wanted to see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.
4. Then I began doing great things. I built houses, and I planted vineyards for myself.
5. I planted gardens, and I made parks. I planted all kinds of fruit trees.
6. I made pools of water for myself, and I used them to water my growing trees.
7. I bought men and women slaves, and there were slaves born in my house. I owned many great things. I had herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. I owned more things than any other person in Jerusalem did.
8. I also gathered silver and gold for myself. I took treasures from kings and their nations. I had men and women singing for me. I had everything any man could want.
9. I became very rich and famous. I was greater than anyone who lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom was always there to help me.
10. Anything my eyes saw and wanted, I got for myself. My mind was pleased with everything I did. And this happiness was the reward for all my hard work.
11. But then I looked at everything I had done and the wealth I had gained. I decided it was all a waste of time! It was like trying to catch the wind. There is nothing to gain from anything we do in this life.
12. Then I decided to think about what it means to be wise or to be foolish or to do crazy things. And I thought about the one who will be the next king. The new king will do the same as the kings before him.
13. I saw that wisdom is better than foolishness in the same way that light is better than darkness.