1 O íd esto, pueblos todos; escuchad, todos los habitantes del mundo,

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

2 t anto los plebeyos como los nobles; el rico y el pobre juntamente.

Both low and high, rich and poor together:

3 M i boca hablará sabiduría, y el pensamiento de mi corazón inteligencia.

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

4 I nclinaré al proverbio mi oído; declararé con el arpa mi enigma.

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

5 ¿ Por qué he de temer en los días de adversidad, cuando la iniquidad de mis opresores me rodee?

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

6 L os que confían en sus bienes y de sus muchas riquezas se jactan,

Even of those who trust in and lean on their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

7 n inguno de ellos podrá, en manera alguna, redimir al hermano ni pagar a Dios su rescate

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

8 ( pues la redención de su vida es de tan alto precio que no se logrará jamás),

For the ransom of a life is too costly, and can never suffice—

9 p ara que viva en adelante para siempre, sin jamás ver corrupción,

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

10 p ues se ve que aun los sabios mueren; que perecen del mismo modo que el insensato y el necio, y dejan a otros sus riquezas.

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

11 S u íntimo pensamiento es que sus casas serán eternas, y sus habitaciones para generación y generación. ¡Dan sus nombres a sus tierras!

Their 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.

12 P ero el hombre no gozará de honores para siempre. ¡Es semejante a las bestias que perecen!

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

13 E ste su camino es locura; con todo, sus descendientes se complacen en el dicho de ellos. Selah

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

14 C omo a rebaños que son conducidos al seol, la muerte los pastoreará. Los rectos se enseñorearán de ellos por la mañana, se consumirá su buen parecer y el seol será su morada.

Like 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.

15 P ero Dios redimirá mi vida del poder del seol, porque él me tomará consigo. Selah

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

16 N o temas cuando se enriquece alguno, cuando aumenta la gloria de su casa,

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

17 p orque cuando muera no llevará nada ni descenderá tras él su gloria.

For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him.

18 A unque, mientras viva, llame dichosa a su alma y sea alabado porque prospera,

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

19 e ntrará en la generación de sus padres, y nunca más verá la luz.

He will go to the generation of his fathers, who will nevermore see the light.

20 E l hombre que goza de honores y no entiende, semejante es a las bestias que perecen.

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