^{1 Ref} > Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,

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

^{3 Ref} My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.

^{4 Ref} I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.

^{5 Ref} Why should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

^{6 Ref} Those who trust in their wealth, And boast in the multitude of their riches--

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

^{8 Ref} For the redemption of their life is costly, No payment is ever enough,

^{9 Ref} That he should live on forever, That he should not see corruption.

^{10 Ref} For he sees that wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless perish, And leave their wealth to others.

^{11 Ref} Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, And their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.

^{12 Ref} But man, despite his riches, doesn't endure. He is like the animals that perish.

^{13 Ref} This is the destiny of those who are foolish, And of those who approve their sayings. Selah.

^{14 Ref} They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, Far from their mansion.

^{15 Ref} But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For he will receive me. Selah.

^{16 Ref} Don't be afraid when a man is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased.

^{17 Ref} For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.

^{18 Ref} Though while he lived he blessed his soul-- And men praise you when you do well for yourself--

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

^{20 Ref} A man who has riches without understanding, Is like the animals that perish.