[1] Hear this, all peoples; Listen carefully, all inhabitants of the world, [2] Both low and high, Rich and poor together: [3] My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. [4] I will incline my ear and consent to a proverb; On the lyre I will unfold my riddle. [5] Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side], [6] Even those who trust in and rely on their wealth And boast of the abundance of their riches? [7] None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— [8] For the ransom of his soul is too costly, And he should cease trying forever— [9] So that he should live on eternally, That he should never see the pit (grave) and undergo decay. [10] For he sees that even wise men die; The fool and the stupid alike perish And leave their wealth to others. [11] Their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names [ignoring God]. [12] But man, with all his [self] honor and pomp, will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish. [13] This is the fate of those who are foolishly confident, And of those after them who approve [and are influenced by] their words. Selah. [14] Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead); Death will be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form and beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, So that they have no dwelling [on earth]. [15] But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah. [16] Be not afraid when [an ungodly] man becomes rich, When the wealth and glory of his house are increased; [17] For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him. [18] Though while he lives he counts himself happy and prosperous—And though people praise you when you do well for yourself— [19] He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never again see the light. [20] A man [who is held] in honor, Yet who lacks [spiritual] understanding and a teachable heart, is like the beasts that perish.
