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.