(255) 
The inspired author, for instance, was famous. He could say in 
truth: “I made me great works, I built me houses, and planted vine¬ 
yards. I made gardens, and orchards, and set them with trees of all 
kinds; and I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the woods of 
young trees. , 
“I got me men-servants and maid-servants, and had a great family;. 
and herds of oxen, and great flocks of sheep, above all that were before me 
in Jerusalem: 
“I heaped together for myself silver and gold, and the wealth of kings, 
and provinces: I made me singing men, and singing women, and the de¬ 
lights of the sons of men, cups and vessels to serve to pour out wine: And 
I surpassed in riches all that were before me in Jerusalem: my wisdom 
also remained with me. 
“And whatsoever my eyes desired, I refused them not: and I with¬ 
held not my heart from enjoying every pleasure, and delighting itself in 
the things which I had prepared: and I esteemed this my portion, to make 
use of my own labor. 
“And when I turned myself to all my works, which my hands had 
wrought, and to the labors, wherein I had labored in vain, I saw in all 
things vanity, and vexation of mind, and that nothing was lasting under 
the sun.”* 
“And, therefore, I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things 
under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.” 
“Wherefore, I left off, and my heart renounced laboring any more 
under the sun. 7 ’ 
“Who shall, 77 he continues, ‘ ‘so feast and abound with delights as I ? 
“God hath given to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and 
knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he hath given vexation, and super* 
•Ecclesiastes, ii :4-ll; ii :17 and 20. 
