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[1]Hear this, all ye people: give ear, all ye that dwell in the world,
[2]As well low as high, both rich and poor.
[3]My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.
[4]I will incline mine ear to a parable, and utter my grave matter upon the harp.
[5]Wherefore should I fear in the evil days, when iniquity shall compass me about, as at mine heels?
[6]They trust in their goods, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches.
[7]Yet a man can by no means redeem his brother: he cannot give his ransom to God,
[8](So precious is the redemption of their souls, and the continuance forever)
[9]That he may live still forever, and not see the grave.
[10]For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leave their riches for others.
[11]Yet they think, their houses, and their habitations shall continue forever, even from generation to generation, and call their lands by their names.
[12]But man shall not continue in honor: he is like the beasts that die.
[13]This their way uttereth their foolishness: yet their posterity delight in their talk. Selah.
[14]Like sheep they lie in grave: death devoureth them, and the righteous shall have domination over them in the morning: for their beauty shall consume, when they shall go from their house to grave.
[15]But God shall deliver my soul from the power of the grave: for he will receive me. Selah.
[16]Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased.
[17]For he shall take nothing away when he dieth, neither shall his pomp descend after him.
[18]For while he lived, he rejoiced himself: and men will praise thee, when thou makest much of thyself.
[19]He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not live forever.
[20]Man is in honor, and understandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.
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