Translations
I set out in my heart to stimulate my body with wine—while keeping my mind anchored in wisdom—and to embrace folly, until I could discover what is truly good for humanity to pursue under the heavens during the brief days allotted to them.
I explored in my heart how to draw my flesh along with wine—while my heart was still guided by wisdom—and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what is good for the children of Adam to do under the skies for the few days of their lives.
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

