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1Hear this, all people, and give ear,
all in the world that dwell;
2Both low and high, both rich and poor.
3My
mouth shall wisdom tell:
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My
heart shall knowledge meditate.
4I
will incline mine ear
To
parables, and on the harp
my sayings dark declare.
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5Amidst those days that evil be,
why should I, fearing, doubt?
When
of my heels th' iniquity
shall compass me about.
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6Whoe'er they be that in their wealth
their confidence do pitch,
And
boast themselves, because they are
become exceeding rich:
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7Yet none of these his brother can
redeem by any way;
Nor
can he unto God for him
sufficient ransom pay,
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8(Their soul's redemption precious is,
and it can never be,)
9That still he should for ever live,
and not corruption see.
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10For why? he seeth that wise men die,
and brutish fools also
Do
perish; and their wealth, when dead,
to others they let go.
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11Their inward thought is, that their house
and dwelling-places shall
Stand
through all ages; they their lands
by their own names do call.
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12But yet in honour shall not man
abide continually;
But
passing hence, may be compar'd
unto the beasts that die.
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13Thus brutish folly plainly is
their wisdom and their way;
Yet
their posterity approve
what they do fondly say.
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14Like sheep they in the grave are laid,
and death shall them devour;
And
in the morning upright men
shall over them have pow'r:
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Their
beauty from their dwelling shall
consume within the grave.
15But from hell's hand God will me free,
for he shall me receive.
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16Be thou not then afraid when one
enriched thou dost see,
Nor
when the glory of his house
advanced is on high:
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17For he shall carry nothing hence
when death his days doth end;
Nor
shall his glory after him
into the grave descend.
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18Although he his own soul did bless
whilst he on earth did live;
(And
when thou to thyself dost well,
men will thee praises give;)
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19He to his fathers' race shall go,
they never shall see light.
20Man honour'd wanting knowledge is
like beasts that perish quite.
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