1. Hear this, all you peoples;listen, all who inhabit the world,
2. both low and high, rich and poor together.
3. My mouth speaks wisdom;my heart’s meditation brings understanding.
4. I turn my ear to a proverb;I explain my riddle with a lyre.
5. Why should I fear in times of trouble?The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.
6. They trust in their wealthand boast of their abundant riches.
7. Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God —
8. since the price of redeeming him is too costly,one should forever stop trying —
9. so that he may live foreverand not see the Pit.
10. For one can see that wise men die;foolish and stupid men also pass away. Then they leave their wealth to others.