Catholic Public Domain Version
"Laughter, I considered an error. And to rejoicing, I said: “Why are you being deceived, to no purpose?” "
— Ecclesiastes 2:2, Catholic Public Domain Version
“I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?”
“I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it? ”
“I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"”
“I said of partying,“It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure,“It accomplishes nothing!””
“Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?”
“Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?”
“I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?”
I said in my heart: “I will go forth and overflow with delights, and I will enjoy good things.” And I saw that this, too, is emptiness.
Laughter, I considered an error. And to rejoicing, I said: “Why are you being deceived, to no purpose?”
I decided in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I might bring my mind to wisdom, and turn away from foolishness, until I see what is useful for the sons of men, and what they ought to do under the sun, during the number of the days of their life.
I magnified my works. I built houses for myself, and I planted vineyards.
I made gardens and orchards. And I planted them with trees of every kind.