The Evanescence of Wealth
(Ecclesiastes 5:8–20)

1To the overseer, to the sons of Korah: chanting. Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the World:

2Also ye sons of Adam, also ye sons of man together, ye rich and needy.

3My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart understanding.

4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my enigma upon the harp.

5Wherefore shall I fear in the days of evil, the iniquity of my heel shall surround me.

6They trusting upon their wealth, and they will glory in the multitude of their riches.

7A man redeeming shall not redeem the brother, he shall not give to God his ransom:

8(And the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceased forever:)

9And he shall yet live forever, he shall not see destruction.

10For he shall see the wise shall die: together the fool and the stupid one shall perish, and they left their wealth to others.

11The midst of them their houses forever, their dwellings to generation and generation; they called in their names upon their lands.

12And man shall not abide in honor, being like as the beasts they perished.

13This their way folly to them: and those after them will delight in their mouth. Silence.

14As sheep they were laid in hades; death shall rule over them, and the upright shall come down upon them in the morning; and their rock for falling away in hades from a dwelling to him.

15But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hades, for he will receive me. Silence.

16Thou shalt not fear when a man shall be enriched, and when the honor of his house shall be increased;

17For not in his dying shall he take anything: his honor shall not go down after him.

18For in his living he will praise his soul, (and he will praise thee for thou wilt do good to thyself,)

19It shall go even to the generation of his fathers; even forever they shall not see light.

20Man in honor shall not understand; being like as the beasts, they perished.