³ I explored with my ^[a]mind how to ^(A)refresh my body with wine while my ^[b]mind was guiding me wisely; and how to seize ^(B)foolishness, until I could see ^(C)what good there is for the sons of mankind ^[c]to do under heaven for the few ^[d]years of their lives.

¹² I know that there is ^(A)nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; ¹³ moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the ^(B)gift of God.

²² I have seen that ^(A)nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his ^[a]lot. For who will bring him to see ^(B)what will occur after him?

¹⁸ Here is what I have seen to be ^(A)good and ^[a]fitting: to eat, to drink, and ^[b]enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few ^[c]years of his life which God has given him; for this is his ^[d](B)reward.

¹² For who knows what is good for a person during his lifetime, during the few ^[a]years of his futile life? He will ^[b]spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a person ^(A)what will happen after him under the sun?