1<> Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,
2both low and high, rich and poor together.
3My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
5Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels shall compass me about?
6They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches,
7none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him
8(for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever),
9that they should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10For he seeth that wise men die; likewise the fool and the brutish person perish and leave their wealth to others.
11Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12Nevertheless man, though he be in honor, abideth not; he is like the beasts that perish.
13This their way is their folly, yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah
14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave away from their dwelling.
15But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah
16Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased.
17For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
18Though while he lived he blessed his soul (and men will praise thee when thou doest well for thyself),
19he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20Man, though he is in honor but understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.