A song for the leader, for the sons of Qorach.

Hear this, all nations; give attention, all inhabitants of the world.

Sons of Adam, sons of man, together, rich and poor.

My mouth will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will open my riddle with a lyre.

Why should I fear in days of trouble, when the iniquity of my heels surrounds me?

Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches.

No man can redeem his brother, nor give to Elohim his ransom.

For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases forever.

And he will live on forever; he will not see the pit.

For he sees that wise men die; together, the fool and the stupid perish, and they leave their wealth to others.

Their inward thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places for generation and generation; they call their lands by their names.

But man in his honor does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.

This is the way of those who are foolish, and of those who are pleased with their talk. Selah.

Like sheep they are appointed for sheol; death will be their shepherd, and the upright will rule over them in the morning; their form will decay in sheol, away from their dwelling.

But Elohim will redeem my soul from the hand of sheol, for he will take me. Selah.

Do not fear when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.

For when he dies he will take nothing; his glory will not go down after him.

Though while he lives he blesses himself, and though men praise you when you do well for yourself.

He will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never again see the light.

Man in his honor does not understand; he is like the beasts that perish.