4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made 

gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to 

water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other 

slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in 

Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings 

and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights 

of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all 

this my wisdom stayed with me. 

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; 

I refused my heart no pleasure. 

My heart took delight in all my labor, 

and this was the reward for all my toil. 

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done 

and what I had toiled to achieve, 

everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; 

nothing was gained under the sun.