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?

¹⁵ So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for ^(A)a person under the sun except to eat, drink, and be joyful, and this will stand by him in his labor throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

⁷ Go then, ^(A)eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works.

¹⁹ And I will say to ^[a]myself, “^(A)You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’