 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you people. Give ear, all inhabitants of the world. 2 Both low and high, rich and poor together. 3 My mouth shall speak of wise things. And the thoughts of my heart shall be of understanding. 4 I will bow down my ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying on the harp. 5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the perversity of my ambushers will surround me? 6 Those who trust in their wealth, and their many riches, boast themselves. 7 A man cannot at all redeem a brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, 8 for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases forever, 9 He will live forever. He will never see corruption. 10 For he sees wise men die. Likewise the fool and the animal like ones perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their inward thought is that their houses shall go on forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They call their lands after their own names. 12 But man, though high in honor, does not remain. He is like the animals that perish. 13 This way of theirs is their foolishness. Yet their followers delight in their sayings. Selah. 14 Like sheep they are appointed to the grave. Death shall reign for them. And the upright shall have the rule over them in the morning. And their form is for rotting. The grave is their home. 15 But God will redeem my soul from the hand of the grave. For He will take me. Selah. 16 Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases; 17 For when he dies he shall take nothing away. His glory shall not go down after him. 18 For in his life he blessed his soul. Yes, they praise you when you do well. 19 He will go to the generation of his fathers. They will never see light. 20 Man in honor but without understanding is like the animals. They all perish.
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