1Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world; 2both children of mankind, and sons of men, rich and poor together. 3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. 4I will extend my ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp. 5Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the depravity of my supplanters surrounds me? 6Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches: 7None of them can at all redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him 8(for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it comes to an end forever), 9that he might yet live forever and never see the pit. 10For he sees wise men die; likewise the fool and the brutish ones perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, and their dwelling places from generation to generation; they call their lands after their own names. 12Nevertheless man, though precious, does not remain; he is like the animals that perish. 13This way of theirs is their folly; yet those who follow delight in their sayings. Selah. 14Like sheep they are appointed to the grave; death shall shepherd them, and the upright shall have the rule over them in the morning; their form is consumed; Sheol is their home. 15But God will redeem my soul from the hand of Sheol; for He will carry me away. Selah. 16Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases; 17for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. 18For in his life he blessed his own soul (indeed, they praise you when you do well for yourself). 19But he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20A man with honor, but lacking understanding, is like the animals that perish.