Ecclesiastes 2:3-7 in English

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;

⁵ I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared;

⁷ I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;

³ And I examined whether my heart would excite my flesh as with wine, (though my heart guided me in wisdom,) and I desired to lay hold of mirth, until I should see of what kind is the good to the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their life.

⁴ I enlarged my work; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards.

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit-tree.

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water from them the timber-bearing wood.

⁷ I got servants and maidens, and servants were born to me in the house: also I had abundant possession of flocks and herds, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

⁷ I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

³ I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

⁷ I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

³ And I examined whether my heart would excite my flesh as with wine, (though my heart guided me in wisdom,) and I desired to lay hold of mirth, until I should see of what kind is the good to the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their life.

⁴ I enlarged my work; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards.

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit tree.

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water from them the timber-bearing wood.

⁷ I got servants and maidens, and servants were born to me in the house: also I had abundant possession of flocks and herds, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I searched in mine heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, mine heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;

⁵ I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit:

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared:

⁷ I bought menservants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem:

³ So, after thinking a lot about it, I decided to ◄cheer myself/cause myself to be happy► by drinking a lot of wine. So while I was still trying to be wise, I decided to do things that many people do to be happy during the short time that they are alive on the earth.

⁴ I did great things: I caused houses to be built for myself and vineyards to be planted.

⁵ I told my workers to make gardens and parks. Then I told them to fill the gardens with many kinds of fruit trees.

⁶ I told them to build reservoirs to store water to irrigate the fruit trees.

⁷ I bought male and female slaves, and babies who later became my slaves were born in my palace. I also owned more livestock than any of the previous kings in Jerusalem had owned.

³ And I examined whether my heart would excite my flesh as with wine, (though my heart guided me in wisdom,) and I desired to lay hold of mirth, until I should see of what kind is the good to the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their life.

⁴ I enlarged my work; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards.

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit tree.

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water from them the timber-bearing wood.

⁷ I got servants and maidens, and servants were born to me in the house: also I had abundant possession of flocks and herds, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.

⁴ I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens.

⁵ I made myself gardens and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all sorts.

⁶ I made pools to give water for the woods with their young trees.

⁷ I got men-servants and women-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.

³ I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;

⁵ I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of every kind of fruit;

⁶ I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the wood, where the trees are reared.

⁷ I acquired servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that had been in Jerusalem before me.

³ I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works, I built me houses, and planted vineyards,

⁵ I made gardens, and orchards, and set them with trees of all kinds,

⁶ And I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the wood of the young trees,

⁷ I got me menservants, and maidservants, and had a great family: and herds of oxen, and great flocks of sheep, above all that were before me in Jerusalem:

³ Then I used my mind to examine the attraction of wine to my body. My mind still guiding me with wisdom, I took it until I acted like a fool, so that I might see whether this was good for people to do during their time here.

⁴ Then I tried great construction projects. I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

⁵ I made for myself gardens and parks, planting them with all kinds of fruit trees.

⁶ I constructed for myself reservoirs to water all these growing trees.

⁷ I bought male and female slaves, and their children also belonged to me. I also owned many herds and flocks, more than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

³ I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe to wine, and to leade mine heart in wisdome, and to take holde of follie, till I might see where is that goodnesse of the children of men, which they enioy vnder the sunne: the whole nomber of the dayes of their life.

⁴ I haue made my great workes: I haue built me houses: I haue planted me vineyards.

⁵ I haue made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them trees of all fruite.

⁶ I haue made me cisternes of water, to water therewith the woods that growe with trees.

⁷ I haue gotten seruants and maides, and had children borne in the house: also I had great possession of beeues and sheepe aboue all that were before me in Ierusalem.

³ I searched in my heart how to pamper my flesh with wine, and, my heart conducting itself with wisdom, how yet to lay hold on folly, till I might see which it was best for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven the few days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;

⁵ I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the wood springing up with trees;

⁷ I acquired men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;

³ I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, (yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

⁷ I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

³ I resolved in my heart to indulge my body with wine, while my heart guideth itself with wisdom; and to lay fast hold on folly, till I might see what it is that is good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heavens during the number of the days of their life.

⁴ I made great works: I built myself houses; I planted myself vineyards;

⁵ I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted therein trees of all kinds of fruit;

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water therewith the forest overgrown with trees;

⁷ I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and I had likewise those born in my house; I had also great possessions of cattle and flocks above all that had been before me in Jerusalem.

³ And I examined whether my heart Would excite my flesh as with wine (Though my heart guided me in wisdom), And I desired to lay hold of mirth, Until I should see of what kind is the good to the sons of men, Which they should do under the sun All the days of their life.

⁴ I enlarged my work; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards.

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, And planted in them every kind of fruit tree.

⁶ I made me pools of water, To water from them the timber-bearing wood.

⁷ I got servants and maidens, And servants were born to me in the house: Also I had abundant possession of flocks and herds, Beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I thought in my heart to strengthen my body with wine, and, while my heart cleaved to wisdom, to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works. I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards.

⁵ I made me gardens and parks, and planted in them fruit-trees of every kind.

⁶ I made me pools of water, with which to water the grove shooting up trees.

⁷ I got me men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me.

³ I 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.

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

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

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

⁷ I 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.

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

⁴ I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards:

⁵ I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

⁶ I made me pools of water, to water with them the wood that bringeth forth trees:

⁷ I procured me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

⁴ I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

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

⁶ I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.

⁷ I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I thought in mine heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I should lead over my soul to wisdom, and that I would eschew folly, till I should see, what were profitable to the sons of men; in which deed the number of days of their life under the sun is needful.

⁴ I magnified, either made great, my works, I builded houses to me, and I planted vines;

⁵ I made yards or gardens and orchards, and I set those with trees of all kinds;

⁶ and I made cisterns of waters, for to water the wood of the trees growing.

⁷ I had in possession servants and handmaids; and I had much meine, and droves of great beasts, and great flocks of sheep, over all men that were before me in Jerusalem.

³ I thought in mine heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I should lead over my soul to wisdom, and that I would eschew folly, till I should see, what were profitable to the sons of men; in which deed the number of days of their life under the sun is needful. (I thought in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I could lead over my soul unto wisdom, and so that I would eschew foolishness, until I could see, what was profitable to the sons and daughters of men; yea, which deeds, or works, be useful, or meaningful, all the days of their lives under the sun.)

⁴ I magnified, either made great, my works, I builded houses to me (or I built houses for myself), and I planted vines;

⁵ I made yards and orchards, and I set those with trees of all kind(s);

⁶ and I made cisterns of waters, for to water the wood of the trees growing. (and I made water cisterns, to water the trees growing in the woods, or in the groves.)

⁷ I had in possession servants and handmaids; and I had much household, and droves of great beasts, and great flocks of sheep, over all men that were before me in Jerusalem. (I had in possession servants and servantesses or male and female slaves; and I had many slaves born in my house, and herds of great beasts, and great flocks of sheep, yea, more than all those who came before me in Jerusalem.)

³ I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where is this — the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.

⁴ I made great my works, I builded for me houses, I planted for me vineyards.

⁵ I made for me gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

⁶ I made for me pools of water, to water from them a forest shooting forth trees.

⁷ I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance — herd and flock — above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.