1Hear this, all ye people ; 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 that 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 for ever :) 9That he should still live for ever , and not see corruption . 10For he seeth that wise men die , likewise the fool and the brutish person perish , and leave their wealth to others . 11Their 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 . 12Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish .
The Destiny of the Foolish and the Wise
13This their way is their folly : yet their posterity approve their sayings . Selah . 14Like 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 . 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of 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 honour , and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish .