[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, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. [4] I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. [5] Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? [6] Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, [7] None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him- [8] For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever- [9] That he should continue to live eternally, And not see the Pit. [10] For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others. [11] Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names. [12] Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish. [13] This is the way of those who are foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah [14] Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. [15] But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah [16] Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; [17] For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him. [18] Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), [19] He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. [20] A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.
