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I also gathered to myself silver and gold—the royal and provincial treasuries. I acquired for myself male and female singers, as well as the delight of men,[a] voluptuous concubines.[b]

Thus, I accomplished far more[c] than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem—indeed, my wisdom stood by me. 10 I neither withheld anything from my eyes that they desired, nor did I deprive any pleasure from my heart. My heart rejoiced in all my toil, for this was my reward from all my toil.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:8 Literally “the sons of the man”
  2. Ecclesiastes 2:8 Literally “a breast and breasts,” as a synecdoche for beautiful women in the king’s harem
  3. Ecclesiastes 2:9 Literally “I became great and I surpassed”

I amassed silver and gold(A) for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.(B) I acquired male and female singers,(C) and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem(D) before me.(E) In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
    I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
    and this was the reward for all my toil.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:8 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.