Read the Bible

¹ Everyone on this earth,
    now listen to what I say!
²     Listen, no matter who you are,
    rich or poor.
³ I speak words of wisdom,
    and my thoughts make sense.
⁴ I have in mind a mystery
    that I will explain
    while playing my harp.

⁵ Why should I be afraid
    in times of trouble,
    when I am surrounded
    by vicious enemies?
⁶ They trust in their riches
    and brag about
    all of their wealth.
⁷ You cannot buy back your life
    or pay off God!
⁸     It costs far too much
    to buy back your life.
You can never pay God enough
⁹     to stay alive forever
    and safe from death.

¹⁰ We see that wise people die,
    and so do stupid fools.
    Then their money is left
    for someone else.
¹¹ The grave^[a] will be their home
    forever and ever,
    although they once had land
    of their own.
¹² Our human glory disappears,
    and, like animals, we die.

¹³ Here is what happens to fools
    and to those who trust
    the words of fools:
¹⁴ They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
    leading them to the grave.^[b]
In the morning God's people
    will walk all over them,
    as their bodies lie rotting
    in their home, the grave.
¹⁵ But God will rescue me
    from the power of death.

¹⁶ Don't let it bother you
    when others get rich
    and live in luxury.
¹⁷ Soon they will die
    and all of their wealth
    will be left behind.

¹⁸ We humans are praised
    when we do well,
    and all of us are glad
    to be alive.
¹⁹ But we each will go down
    to our ancestors,
    never again to see
    the light of day.
²⁰ Our human glory disappears,
    and, like animals, we die.