Ecclesiastes 2

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

I told myself, "Let's try happiness, let's enjoy life." But I realized, even this is meaningless.

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

I questioned the sanity of laughter and the purpose of joy.

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

I explored my heart's desire to indulge in wine, while still striving for wisdom. I even dabbled in foolishness, all to understand what truly brings joy to people during their lifetime on earth.

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

I accomplished grand deeds, constructed my own homes, and cultivated my own vineyards.

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

With joy and love, I crafted gardens and orchards, filling them with a diverse array of fruit-bearing trees.

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

I crafted reservoirs, filled with life-giving water, to nourish the forest that births mighty trees.

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 was blessed with a household full of loyal servants and maids, some even born under my roof. I was fortunate to own an abundance of livestock, both big and small, more than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

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.

I amassed wealth in silver and gold, collecting the unique treasures of kings and regions. I surrounded myself with male and female singers, and all kinds of human pleasures, like musical instruments of every kind.

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

I rose to greatness, surpassing all who came before me in Jerusalem, yet my wisdom never left me.

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.

I indulged in all my heart's desires and embraced every joy. I found happiness in all my work, and this was my reward for all my efforts.

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.

I gazed upon all I had done, the fruits of my hard work and effort. But I realized, it was all meaningless, a mere chasing of the wind, with no real value or purpose.

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

I looked deeply into wisdom, insanity, and foolishness, wondering, what can anyone do that hasn't been done before by those in power?

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

I realized that wisdom is far superior to foolishness, just as light outshines darkness.

The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

A wise man uses his mind to guide him, while a fool stumbles blindly. Yet I've realized that one and the same fate awaits them both, wise or foolish.

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

I questioned myself, realizing that what happens to the foolish can also happen to me. What's the point of my wisdom then? I realized, it's all meaningless.

For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

No one remembers the wise or the fool after they're gone; both are forgotten with time. The wise man's death is no different from the fool's.

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

I grew to despise life, for the tasks I faced each day felt burdensome and pointless, leaving me frustrated and empty.

Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

Indeed, I felt a deep resentment for all the work I had done under the sun, knowing I would have to pass it on to the one who comes after me.

And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

Who can tell if one will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control all I've worked for and proven my wisdom. This too, feels pointless.

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

So, I found myself sinking into despair, questioning the worth of all my hard work under the sun.

For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

A man may work hard, gaining wisdom, knowledge, and fairness. Yet, he may leave it all to someone who hasn't worked for it. This is not only pointless but also a great injustice.

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

What does a person truly gain from all their hard work and heartache they endure in this life?

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

His life is filled with constant sadness and his work brings only pain. Even at night, his heart finds no peace. All of this is meaningless.

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Simply put, a man's greatest joy is to savor his food and drink, and find happiness in his hard work. I've realized, this simple pleasure is indeed a gift from God.

For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

Who could possibly enjoy life's pleasures or rush towards them more than I do?

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

God rewards those He sees as good with wisdom, knowledge, and happiness. But those who sin are burdened with toil, only to accumulate wealth that will eventually go to the righteous. This is both meaningless and frustrating.