2:4 I increased my possessions: ²⁶ 

I built houses for myself; ²⁷ 

I planted vineyards for myself.

2:5 I designed ²⁸  royal gardens ²⁹  and parks ³⁰  for myself,

and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

2:6 I constructed pools of water for myself,

to irrigate my grove ³¹  of flourishing trees.

2:7 I purchased male and female slaves,

and I owned slaves who were born in my house; ³² 

I also possessed more livestock – both herds and flocks –

than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem. ³³ 

2:8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself,

as well as valuable treasures ³⁴  taken from kingdoms and provinces. ³⁵ 

I acquired male singers and female singers for myself,

and what gives a man sensual delight ³⁶  – a harem of beautiful concubines! ³⁷ 

2:9 So ³⁸  I was far wealthier ³⁹  than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,

yet I maintained my objectivity: ⁴⁰ 

2:10 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; ⁴¹ 

I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. ⁴² 

So all my accomplishments gave me joy; ⁴³ 

this was my reward for all my effort. ⁴⁴ 

2:11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished ⁴⁵ 

and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, ⁴⁶ 

I concluded: ⁴⁷  “All these ⁴⁸  achievements and possessions ⁴⁹  are ultimately ⁵⁰  profitless⁵¹  –

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.