1Hear this, all ye peoples; 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.

5Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? 6They who 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 forever), 9That he should still live forever, and not see corruption. 10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise, the fool and the stupid {brutish} person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. 12Nevertheless, man being 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 sheol {the grave}; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in sheol {the grave} from their dwelling. 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of sheol {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 to thyself. 19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.