NSB(i)
2 I said of laughter: »It is madness. And of pleasure: What does it do?«
3 I searched in my mind how to stimulate my flesh with wine. My mind guided my heart with wisdom. I possessed foolishness until I could see what was good for the sons of men. I saw what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
4 I made great works. I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards for myself.
5 I made myself parks and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all kinds.
6 I made water pools from which to water the young trees.
7 I acquired male and female servants, and they gave birth to sons and daughters in my house. I had great wealth of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
8 I gathered silver and gold and the wealth of kings and of countries. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, girls of all sorts to be my brides.
9 I became great and increased more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem and my wisdom remained with me.
10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold joy from my heart. My heart took pleasure in all my work and this was my reward.
11 I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.
12 I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What can the man do that comes after the king? Only what he has already done.