Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 - Qohelet's Investigation Of Personal Accomplishment

⁴ {I accomplished great things}. I built for myself houses; I planted for myself vineyards. ⁵ I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted all [sorts of] fruit trees in them. ⁶ I made for myself pools of water from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. ⁷ I acquired male slaves and female slaves, as well as children [born in my] house. I also had livestock, cattle, and flocks more than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem. ⁸ I also gathered to myself silver and gold--the royal and provincial treasuries. I acquired for myself male and female singers, as well as the delight of {men}, {voluptuous concubines}. ⁹ Thus, {I accomplished far more} than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem--indeed, my wisdom stood by me. ¹⁰ I neither withheld anything from my eyes that they desired, nor did I deprive any pleasure from my heart. My heart rejoiced in all my toil, for this was my reward from all my toil. ¹¹ Yet when I considered all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, "Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!"