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

2: Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

3: My mouth shall speak of 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 the iniquity of my heels shall compass 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 soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

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

10: For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person 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: Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.