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¹ To the chief musician, A Psalm for the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples, give ear, all those living in the world,² both sons of mankind and sons of man together, rich and poor:³ My mouth shall speak wisdom, 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 in 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 for he shall yet live forever; he shall never see corruption.¹⁰ For he sees wise men die; together the fool and the animal-like ones perish and leave their riches to others.¹¹ Their inward thought is that their houses shall last forever, their dwelling-places to all generations; they call lands after their own names.¹² But man shall not remain high in honor; he is like the animals; they shall be cut off.¹³ This way of theirs is folly to them, yet their followers shall be pleased by their mouth. Selah.¹⁴ Like sheep, they are appointed to Sheol. Death shall reign for them. And upright ones shall rule over them in the morning; and their form is for rotting; Sheol is home for him.

¹⁵ But God will redeem my soul from the hand of Sheol, for He will take me. Selah.¹⁶ Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases;¹⁷ for when he dies he shall take nothing; his glory shall not go down after him.¹⁸ For in his life he blessed his soul; yea, men praise you when you do well for yourself.¹⁹ He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall not see light forever.²⁰ Man, though high in honor, but understanding not, is like the animals; they shall be cut off.