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

⁴ I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself. ⁵ I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶ I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees. 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. 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, and what gives a man sensual delight -- a harem of beautiful concubines! ⁹ So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity: ¹⁰ I did not restrain myself 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. 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."