1

<> Hear this, all [ye] people give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world:

2

Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding.

4

I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, [when] the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

6

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves 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 soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

9

That he should still live for ever, [and] not see corruption.

10

For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11

Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] for ever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations they call [their] lands after their own names.

12

Nevertheless man [being] in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.

13

This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

14

Like sheep they are laid in the grave death shall feed on them and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

15

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

16

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased

17

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

18

Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

19

He shall go to the generation of his fathers they shall never see light.

20

Man [that is] in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish.