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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. | |
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. | |
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. | |
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. | |
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; | |
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. | |
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. | |
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. | |
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. | |
