Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

CLV(i) 4 I made great things as my works; I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made gardens and parks for myself, And I planted in them trees of every fruit." 6 I made reservoirs of water for myself, To irrigate from them the sprouting grove of trees." 7 I acquired servants and maids, And any sons born in the house became mine; Moreover, abundant cattle, herds and flocks became mine, More than all who were before me in Jerusalem." 8 I collected also silver and gold for myself, The valuables of kings and provinces; I provided male singers and female singers for myself, And with the delicacies of the sons of humanity, a wine waiter and wine waitresses." 9 As I grew greater and added more than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem, Indeed my wisdom, it stayed by me." 10 All that my eyes asked for I did not deny to them; I did not withhold my heart from any rejoicing, For my heart had rejoicing from all my toil, And this itself was my portion from all my toil." 11 Yet when I faced all my deeds that my hands had done, And the toil that I had toiled in doing them, Behold, the whole was vanity and a grazing on wind, And there was nothing of advantage under the sun."