Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

Easy-to-Read Version

⁹I became very rich and famous. I was greater than anyone who lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom was always there to help me. ¹⁰Anything my eyes saw and wanted, I got for myself. My mind was pleased with everything I did. And this happiness was the reward for all my hard work.

¹¹But then I looked at everything I had done and the wealth I had gained. I decided it was all a waste of time! It was like trying to catch the wind.^[a] There is nothing to gain from anything we do in this life.^[b]

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Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 2:11 trying to catch the wind Or “It is very troubling to the spirit.” The word for “troubling” can also mean “craving,” and the word for “spirit” can also mean “wind.” Also in verses 17, 26.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 in this life Literally, “under the sun.” Also in verses 17, 22.