1 H ear this, all you peoples; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world,

Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

2 B oth low and high, rich and poor together:

Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

3 M y mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

4 I will submit and consent to a parable or proverb; to the music of a lyre I will unfold my riddle (my problem).

I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5 W hy should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of those who would supplant me surrounds me on every side,

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

6 E ven of those who trust in and lean on their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

7 N one of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—

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

8 F or the ransom of a life is too costly, and can never suffice—

(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

9 S o that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption.

That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

10 F or he sees that even wise men die; the fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others.

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

11 T heir inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands their own and after their own names.

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 B ut man, with all his honor and pomp, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.

Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

13 T his is the fate of those who are foolishly confident, yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah!

This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

14 L ike sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the place of the dead); death shall be their shepherd. And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form and beauty shall be consumed, for Sheol shall be their dwelling.

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 B ut God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah!

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

16 B e not afraid when one is made rich, when the wealth and glory of his house are increased;

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

17 F or when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him.

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

18 T hough while he lives he counts himself happy and prosperous, and though a man gets praise when he does well,

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

19 H e will go to the generation of his fathers, who will nevermore see the light.

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

20 A man who is held in honor and understands not is like the beasts that perish.

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.