1 [To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm.] Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world:

2 Both men of low and men of high degree, rich and poor alike.

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding:

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable, I will open my riddle upon the harp.

5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, {when} the iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? -

6 They depend upon their wealth, and boast themselves in the abundance of their riches. ...

7 None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him,

8 (For the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be given up for ever,)

9 That he should still live perpetually, {and} not see corruption.

10 For he seeth that wise men die; all alike, the fool and the brutish perish, and they leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought is, that their houses are for ever, their dwelling-places from generation to generation: they call the 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 they that come after them delight in their sayings. Selah.

14 Like sheep are they laid in Sheol: Death feedeth on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their comeliness shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for them.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he will receive me. Selah.

16 Be not afraid when a man becometh 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 he blessed his soul in his lifetime, -and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself, -

19 It 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.

1 Hear this, all ye peoples;

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

2 Both low and high,

Rich and poor together.

3 My mouth shall speak 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 iniquity at my heels compasseth 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 life is costly,

And it faileth for ever),

9 That he should still live alway,

That he should not see corruption.

10 For he shall see it. Wise men die;

The fool and the brutish alike 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 But man being in honor abideth not:

He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This their way is their folly:

Yet after them men approve their sayings. [Selah

14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol;

Death shall be their shepherd:

And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning;

And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume,

That there be no habitation for it.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol;

For he will 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 praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself),

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They shall never see the light.

20 Man that is in honor, and understandeth not,

Is like the beasts that perish.