1. Hear this, all you people; give ear, all you 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 my ear to a proverb: I will disclose my riddles upon the harp.
5. Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels shall surround me?
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 ceases forever:)
9. That he should still live forever, and not see corruption.
10. For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12. Nevertheless man being in honor abides not: he is like the beasts that perish.