8. I amassed silver and gold for myself, the treasures of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers for myself, along with every human luxury, treasure chests galore!
9. So I became far greater than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Moreover, my wisdom stood by me.
10. I refrained from nothing that my eyes desired. I refused my heart no pleasure. Indeed, my heart found pleasure from the results of my hard work; that was the reward from all my hard work.
11. But when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I had worked so hard to achieve, I realized that it was pointless—a chasing after wind. Nothing is to be gained under the sun.
12. My reflections then turned to wisdom, madness, and folly. What can the king’s heir do but what has already been done?
13. I saw that wisdom is more beneficial than folly, as light is more beneficial than darkness.