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[1] For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.
[2] Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,
[3] Both low and high, rich and poor together.
[4] My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
[5] I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
[6] Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,
[7] Of them that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches?
[8] No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—
[9] For too costly is the redemption of their soul, and must be let alone for ever—
[10] That he should still live alway, that he should not see the pit.
[11] For he seeth that wise men die, the fool and the brutish together perish, and leave their wealth to others.
[12] 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.
[13] But man abideth not in honour; he is like the beasts that perish.
[14] This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve their sayings. Selah
[15] Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, that there be no habitation for it.
[16] But God will redeem my soul from the power nether-world; for He shall receive me. Selah
[17] Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when the wealth of his house is increased;
[18] For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him.
[19] Though while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself';
[20] It shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light.
[21] Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish.
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