Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

Thomson(i) 4 I enlarged my plan of operations. I built me houses. I planted me vineyards. 5 I made me gardens and orchards and planted therein all sorts of fruit trees. 6 I made me pools of water, to water from them my blooming nurseries. 7 I purchased men servants and maid servants; and had servants born in my family. And my stock of herds and flocks was great above all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I collected also for myself silver and gold and the choicest treasures of kings and countries. I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men; a butler and the requisites to entertainments. 9 And I was great and surpassed all who had been before me in Jerusalem; and still my wisdom continued with me. 10 And whatever mine eyes desired I withheld not from them, nor did I restrain my heart from all my pleasure. Because my heart had been gladdened with all my labour, [now this was my portion from all my labour] 11 therefore I looked back on all the works which my hands had done, and on the labour with which I had toiled to execute them; and behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit and there is no lasting advantage under the sun.