Tag: indulge

I thought in my heart,
“Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.”

But that also proved to be meaningless.

“Laughter, “ I said, “is foolish.
And what does pleasure accomplish?”

I tried cheering myself with wine,
and embracing folly—
my mind still guiding me with wisdom.

I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven
during the few days of their lives.

I undertook great projects:

I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

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.

I amassed silver and gold for myself,
and the treasure of kings and provinces.

I acquired men and women singers,
and a harem as well—
the delights of the heart of man.

I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.

My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.

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

 Ecclesiastes 2:1-11