3 Both low arid high, Rich and poor together !
4 My mouth shall utter wisdom_
And the meditation of my heart is understanding.
5 I will incline mine ear to the maxim,
I will disclose my riddle with the accompaniment of the cithern.
6 Wherefore should I fear in the days of misfortune, "When the evil-doing of my supplanters encompasseth me,
7 Who trust in their wealth
And boast themselves in the abundance of their riches ?
8 A man is not able by any means to redeem his brother, Nor can he give to God a ransom for him,
9 (Too costly is the redemption of their soul, And he must give it up for ever) ;
10 That he should live continually, [And] not see the grave.
11 No indeed, he must see, that wise men the, Likewise the fool and the stupid man perish, And leave to others their wealth.
12 Their thought is that their houses are for ever, Their dwellings from generation to generation ; They proclaim- their names over lands.
13 But man in pomp hath no abiding.
He is like to the beasts that are destroyed.
14 This is the lot of those who are full of self-confidence, And who following them yield assent to their mouth. (Sela.)
15 Like sheep gathered to Hades death doth shepherd them And the upright shall triumph over them on that morninc, Whereas their form, falling a prey to the devouring of
Hades, becomes habitationless.
16 Yet Elohim will redeem my soul from the power of
Hades, For He will take me up. (Sela.)
17 Be not thou afraid, when a man becometh rich, When the glory of his house is increased.
IS For when he dieth he shall take nothing away with him His glory doth not go down after him.
