2:1 I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.
2:2 I said of partying, “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!”
2:3 I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine — the whole time my mind was guiding me with wisdom — and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
2:4 I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.
2:5 I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
2:6 I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.
2:7 I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock — both herds and flocks — than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.
2:8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, as well as what gives man sensual delight — a harem of beautiful concubines.
2:9 So I was more wealthy than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:
2:10 I did not hold myself back from getting whatever I wanted, I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy, this was my reward for all my effort.
2:11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless — like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
2:12 Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do, except what he has already done?
2:13 I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:
2:14 The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.