Study Desk

I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself;

I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.

I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

I bought male and female slaves, and I had slaves born at home. I also possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.

I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

I also amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers, and the pleasures of the sons of mankind: many concubines.

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

All that my eyes desired, I did not refuse them. I did not restrain my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my reward for all my labor.

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

So I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold, all was futility and striving after wind, and there was no benefit under the sun.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.