1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity.
2 I said of laughter, [It is] mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all [kind of] fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
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:
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.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
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.
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.
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.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise [man] or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This [is] also vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
21 For there is a man whose labour [is] in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it [for] his portion. This also [is] vanity and a great evil.
22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23 For all his days [are] sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
24 [There is] nothing better for a man, [than] that he should eat and drink, and [that] he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it [was] from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten [hereunto], more than I?
26 For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
Overview of Ecclesiastes Chapter 2
Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 presents a reflective exploration of the pursuit of pleasure, wisdom, and the meaning of life. The author, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, examines the futility of various endeavors and the transient nature of human experiences. This chapter is structured around the themes of enjoyment, wisdom, work, and the inevitability of death.
The Pursuit of Pleasure
The chapter begins with the author’s personal quest for pleasure and enjoyment:
- The author declares a desire to experience joy and happiness through various means.
- He indulges in laughter, wine, and the pleasures of life, seeking to find fulfillment in these experiences.
Despite these pursuits, the author concludes that such pleasures are ultimately meaningless:
- He reflects on the temporary nature of joy and the fleeting satisfaction derived from indulgence.
- There is a sense of disillusionment as he recognizes that laughter and pleasure do not provide lasting contentment.
The Search for Wisdom
The author shifts focus to wisdom, contrasting it with folly:
- He acknowledges the value of wisdom, noting that it brings a degree of enlightenment and understanding.
- However, he also observes that wisdom does not shield one from the inevitability of death, which is a great equalizer.
This leads to a profound realization:
- Wisdom and folly both end in death, rendering both pursuits ultimately futile.
- The author grapples with the idea that the wise and the foolish share the same fate, which adds to his existential angst.
The Value of Work
The chapter continues with a contemplation of work and its rewards:
- The author reflects on the labor and toil that one invests in life.
- He questions the purpose of work if it leads to no lasting legacy or fulfillment.
He observes that the fruits of one’s labor may not benefit the worker, as they may leave their possessions to someone who did not earn them:
- This realization deepens his sense of futility regarding human endeavors.
- He concludes that the pursuit of material gain is ultimately hollow, as it does not provide true satisfaction.
The Inevitability of Death
The chapter culminates in the contemplation of mortality:
- The author acknowledges that death is an unavoidable reality for all, regardless of wisdom or wealth.
- This acknowledgment leads to a sense of despair, as the fleeting nature of life becomes apparent.
In light of this, the author offers a perspective on how to approach life:
- He suggests that one should enjoy the simple pleasures of life, as they are gifts from God.
- Finding joy in daily activities and relationships is presented as a more meaningful pursuit than the relentless chase for wealth or status.
Conclusion
Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 serves as a poignant reflection on the human condition, emphasizing the transient nature of pleasure, the limitations of wisdom, and the futility of work in the face of death. The chapter encourages readers to seek joy in the present moment and to appreciate the simple gifts of life, ultimately suggesting that true fulfillment comes from embracing life’s fleeting experiences rather than striving for permanence.
