NET Bible
"I said of partying,“It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure,“It accomplishes nothing!”"
— Ecclesiastes 2:2, NET Bible
“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?"”
“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?”
Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure I thought to myself,“Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.
I said of partying,“It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure,“It accomplishes nothing!”
I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine(all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
Futility of Materialism I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.
I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.