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.
7. I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem;
8. I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
10. Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour, and this was my portion from all my labour.
11. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labour that I had laboured to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
12. I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king’s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.