[1] Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who inhabit the world, [2] both low and high, rich and poor together. [3] My mouth speaks wisdom; my heart's meditation brings understanding. [4] I turn my ear to a proverb; I explain my riddle with a lyre. [5] Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me. [6] They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches. [7] Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God- [8] since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should forever stop trying- [9] so that he may live forever and not see the Pit. [10] For one can see that the wise die; the foolish and stupid also pass away. Then they leave their wealth to others. [11] Their graves are their permanent homes, their dwellings from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves. [12] But despite his assets, mankind will not last; he is like the animals that perish. [13] This is the way of those who are arrogant, and of their followers, who approve of their words. Selah [14] Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. [15] But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah [16] Do not be afraid when a person gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases. [17] For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down. [18] Though he blesses himself during his lifetime- and you are acclaimed when you do well for yourself- [19] he will go to the generation of his ancestors; they will never see the light. [20] Mankind, with his assets but without understanding, is like the animals that perish.
