1. I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;” and behold, this also was vanity.
2. I said of laughter, “It is foolishness;” and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”
3. I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
4. I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.
5. I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
6. I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared.