^{1 Ref} Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

^{2 Ref} Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

^{3 Ref} My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

^{4 Ref} I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

^{5 Ref} Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

^{6 Ref} They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

^{7 Ref} None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

^{8 Ref} (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

^{9 Ref} That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

^{10 Ref} For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

^{11 Ref} 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 Ref} Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

^{13 Ref} This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

^{14 Ref} 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 Ref} But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

^{16 Ref} Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

^{17 Ref} For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

^{18 Ref} Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

^{19 Ref} He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

^{20 Ref} Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.