C. Vanity of Great Accomplishments .... 2:4-17
Ecc 2:4
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:Ecc 2:5
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:Ecc 2:6
I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:Ecc 2:7
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:Ecc 2:8
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.Ecc 2:9
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.Ecc 2:10
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.Ecc 2:11
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.Ecc 2:12
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.Ecc 2:13
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.Ecc 2:14
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.Ecc 2:15
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.Ecc 2:16
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.Ecc 2:17
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.