Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

4I increased my possessions. I built myself houses and I planted myself vineyards.

5I made royal gardens and parks for myself, and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

6I constructed for myself pools of water to irrigate a forest of flourishing trees.

7I purchased male and female servants and had other servants who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than all my predecessors in Jerusalem.

8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as the treasure of kings and the provinces. I acquired male and female singers for myself, as well as the luxuries of humankind—vaults and vaults of them.

9So I became far wealthier than all before me in Jerusalem, yet my wisdom stayed with me.

10I denied myself nothing that my eyes desired; I withheld from my heart no enjoyment. My heart took delight from all my toil— this was my reward for all my labor.

11Yet when I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended to accomplish it, behold, it all was futile and chasing after the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.