Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

4I accomplished some great things: I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards for myself.

5I made gardens and parks for myself. I planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

6I made pools to water the forest of growing trees.

7I bought male and female slaves. In addition, slaves were born in my household. I owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

8I also gathered silver and gold for myself. I gathered the treasures of kings and provinces. I provided myself with male and female singers and the pleasures men have with one concubine  after another.

9So I grew richer than anyone in Jerusalem before me. Yet, my wisdom remained with me.

10If something appealed to me, I did it. I allowed myself to have any pleasure I wanted, since I found pleasure in my work. This was my reward for all my hard work.

11But when I turned to look at all that I had accomplished and all the hard work I had put into it, I saw that it was all pointless. ⌞It was like⌟ trying to catch the wind. I gained nothing ⌞from any of my accomplishments⌟ under the sun.