001 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
002 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
003 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
004 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
005 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
006 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
007 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
008 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
009 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
010 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
011 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.
012 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
013 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
014 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.
015 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
016 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
017 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
018 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
019 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
020 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.