I told myself, "I have become greater and wiser than anyone who ruled before me in Jerusalem yes, I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge."

I told myself, "I will test you with pleasure, so enjoy yourself." But this was pointless.

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}.

Then I told myself, "Whatever happens to the fool will happen also to me. Therefore what's the point in being so wise?" And I told myself that this also is pointless.

There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and {find delight} in his toil. For I also realized that this [is] from the hand of God!

To everything -- a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:

I also examined on earth: where the halls of justice were supposed to be, there was lawlessness; and where the righteous were supposed to be, there was lawlessness. 17I told myself, "God will judge both the righteous and the wicked, because there is a time set to judge every event and every work."

"As for human beings," I told myself, "God puts them to the test, that they might see themselves as mere animals."

There was no end of all the people, of all those whose head he was, but they who come later will have no delight in him. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.

When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow.

If thou seest the poor to be oppressed and wrongfully dealt withal, so that equity and the right of the law is wrested in the land: marvel not thou at such judgment, for one great man keepeth touch with another, and the mighty help themselves together.

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

For to every delight there is a time and a judgment, for the misfortune of man is great upon him.

How sweet is the daylight, and how pleasant it is for someone's eyes to behold the sunshine!

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth:

Before the days of adversity come,
and the years approach when you will say,
“I have no delight in them”;

Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark, or when clouds fail to return after the rain

The Proclaimer sought to find out words giving delight, and to note down rightly, the words of truth.