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 will speak wisdom,and the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
4. I will incline my ear to a parable;I will expound my riddle with a harp.
5. Why should I fear in the days of evil,when the iniquity of my stalkers surrounds me?
6. Those who trust in their wealth,and boast in the multitude of their riches,
7. none of them can by any means redeem the other,nor give to God a ransom for anyone,
8. for the redemption of their souls is costly;even so people cease to exist forever,
9. making efforts to live eternally,and not see the pit.
10. For one sees that wise men die,together the fool and the brute perish,and leave their wealth to others.
11. Their graves become their perpetual homes,and their dwelling places to all generations,though they call their lands after their own names.