Ecclesiastes 2:2-9

²I said about laughter, “It is crazy,” and about pleasure, “What use is it?”

³I explored in my heart how to gratify my desires with wine. I let my mind guide me with wisdom although I was still holding on to folly. I wanted to find out what is good for people to do under heaven during the days of their lives.

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

⁵I built for myself gardens and parks; I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

⁶I created pools of water to water a forest where trees were grown.

⁷I purchased male slaves and female slaves; I had slaves born in my palace. I also had large herds and flocks of livestock, much more than any king who ruled before me in Jerusalem.

⁸I also accumulated for myself silver and gold, the treasures of kings and provinces. I got male and female singers for myself—the delights of the children of humanity—and many concubines.

⁹So I became greater and wealthier than all who were before me in Jerusalem, and my wisdom remained with me.