<t /><p class="poetry">I increased my possessions:<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">I built houses for myself;<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">I planted vineyards for myself.p>

<p class="poetry">I purchased male and female slaves,p> <p class="poetry">and I owned slaves who were born in my house;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">I also possessed more livestock &#8211; both herds and flocks &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">I also amassed silver and gold for myself,p> <p class="poetry">as well as valuable treasures<n id="1" /> taken from kingdoms and provinces.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">I acquired male singers and female singers for myself,p> <p class="poetry">and what gives a man sensual delight<n id="3" /> &#8211; a harem of beautiful concubines!<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">I designed<n id="1" /> royal gardens<n id="2" /> and parks<n id="3" /> for myself,p> <p class="poetry">and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.p>

<p class="poetry">I constructed pools of water for myself,p> <p class="poetry">to irrigate my grove<n id="1" /> of flourishing trees.p>

<p class="poetry">So<n id="1" /> I was far wealthier<n id="2" /> than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,p> <p class="poetry">yet I maintained my objectivity:<n id="3" />p>

<t /><p class="poetry">So remember<n id="1" /> your Creator in the days of your youth &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">before<n id="2" /> the difficult<n id="3" /> days come,p> <p class="poetry">and the years draw near when you will say, &#8220;I have no pleasure in them&#8221;;p>