2:1 I said to myself, 'Come now, let's give pleasure a try. Let's look for the `good things' in life.' But I found that this, too, was meaningless.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 1 , I said to myself, 'Come now, let's give pleasure a try. Let's look for the `good things' in life.' But I found that this, too, was meaningless.
2:2 'It is silly to be laughing all the time,' I said. 'What good does it do to seek only pleasure?'
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 2 , 'It is silly to be laughing all the time,' I said. 'What good does it do to seek only pleasure?'
2:3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I hoped to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 3 , After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I hoped to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
2:4 I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 4 , I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.
2:5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 5 , I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.
2:6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 6 , I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.
2:7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned great herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who lived in Jerusalem before me.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 7 , I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned great herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who lived in Jerusalem before me.
2:8 I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 8 , I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
2:9 So I became greater than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. And with it all, I remained clear-eyed so that I could evaluate all these things.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 9 , So I became greater than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. And with it all, I remained clear-eyed so that I could evaluate all these things.
2:10 Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work, an additional reward for all my labors.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 10 , Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work, an additional reward for all my labors.
2:11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 11 , But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
2:12 So I decided to compare wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusions I did.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 12 , So I decided to compare wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusions I did.
2:13 Wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 13 , Wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.
2:14 For the wise person sees, while the fool is blind. Yet I saw that wise and foolish people share the same fate.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 14 , For the wise person sees, while the fool is blind. Yet I saw that wise and foolish people share the same fate.
2:15 Both of them die. Just as the fool will die, so will I. So of what value is all my wisdom? Then I said to myself, 'This is all so meaningless!'
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 15 , Both of them die. Just as the fool will die, so will I. So of what value is all my wisdom? Then I said to myself, 'This is all so meaningless!'
2:16 For the wise person and the fool both die, and in the days to come, both will be forgotten.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 16 , For the wise person and the fool both die, and in the days to come, both will be forgotten.
2:17 So now I hate life because everything done here under the sun is so irrational. Everything is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 17 , So now I hate life because everything done here under the sun is so irrational. Everything is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
2:18 I am disgusted that I must leave the fruits of my hard work to others.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 18 , I am disgusted that I must leave the fruits of my hard work to others.
2:19 And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? And yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work. How meaningless!
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 19 , And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? And yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work. How meaningless!
2:20 So I turned in despair from hard work. It was not the answer to my search for satisfaction in this life.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 20 , So I turned in despair from hard work. It was not the answer to my search for satisfaction in this life.
2:21 For though I do my work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, I must leave everything I gain to people who haven't worked to earn it. This is not only foolish but highly unfair.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 21 , For though I do my work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, I must leave everything I gain to people who haven't worked to earn it. This is not only foolish but highly unfair.
2:22 So what do people get for all their hard work?
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 22 , So what do people get for all their hard work?
2:23 Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night they cannot rest. It is all utterly meaningless.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 23 , Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night they cannot rest. It is all utterly meaningless.
2:24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 24 , So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God.
2:25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 25 , For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?
2:26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. Even this, however, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
The NLT Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 2 , Verse 26 , God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. Even this, however, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
