[1] Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, [2] both low and high, rich and poor together! [3] My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. [4] I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. [5] Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, [6] men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? [7] Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, [8] for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, [9] that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit. [10] Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. [11] Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. [12] Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish. [13] This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. Selah [14] Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home. [15] But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah [16] Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. [17] For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. [18] Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, [19] he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light. [20] Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.
