4I made my achievements big.
I built houses for myself,
I planted vineyards for myself,
5I made gardens and parks for myself
and planted in them trees with every fruit.
6I made pools of water for myself,
to water from them a forest flourishing with trees.
7I bought servants and maidservants
and ones born in my household.
I also had livestock, both herd and flock;
I had more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.
8I also amassed for myself silver and gold
and the personal treasure of kings and provinces.
I made for myself male and female singers,
and the pleasures of the sons of man, girls and more girls. (?)
9I got big and increased more than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem;
also my worldly-wisdom stood by me.
10Nothing that my eyes asked for did I keep from them.
I didn’t hold my heart back from any rejoicing;
rather, my heart rejoiced in all my labour.
This was my share from all my labour.
11But I myself turned my face to all the deeds that my hands had done
and to the labour that I had put into doing it.
Look, everything was mere-breath
a chasing of wind.
There was no profit under the sun.
O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me.
O Love, who redeemed me,
fill up in me whatever part of your love
has fallen into neglect within me.
O Love, O God, who first loved me,
grant that with my whole heart,
and with my whole soul,
and with my whole strength,
I may love you.
Gertrude the Great