Ecclesiastes 2:5-13

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

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

⁷I 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.

⁸Moreover I collected for myself both silver and gold also, And the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces: I procured me singing men and singing women, And delights of the sons of men, A butler and female cupbearers.

⁹So I became great, And advanced beyond all That were before me in Jerusalem: Also my wisdom was established to me.

¹⁰And whatever mine eyes desired, I withheld not from them, I withheld not my heart From all my mirth: For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my portion Of all my labor.

¹¹And I looked on all my works Which my hands had wrought, And on my labor which I labored to perform: And, behold, all was vanity and waywardness of spirit, And there is no advantage under the sun.

¹²Then I looked on to see wisdom, And madness, and folly: For who is the man who will follow after counsel, In all things wherein he employs it?

¹³And I saw that wisdom excels folly, As much as light excels darkness.