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To the Overseer. Of the sons of Qorach. A melody.
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Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all dwelling in the world,
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both sons of Adam and sons of ish, rich and needy together.
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My mouth speaks Wisdom, and the meditation of my heart is understanding.
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I incline my ear to a proverb; I open my riddle upon the lyre.
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Why should I fear in days of evil, when the crookedness at my heels surrounds me?
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Those trusting in their wealth and boasting in the multitude of their riches—
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a brother cannot redeem an ish, nor give Elohim his ransom.
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The redemption price of their being is precious and ceases forever,
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that he should continue living perpetually and not see the pit.
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For he sees wise ones die; fool and senseless one perish together and leave their wealth to others.
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Their inward thought is that their houses stand forever, their dwellings from generation to generation; they call lands by their own names.
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Yet Adam in honor does not remain; he is like beasts that perish.
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This is the way of those trusting in folly, and of those after them who delight in their mouth. Selah.
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Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shepherds them. The upright rule over them in the morning; their form decays in Sheol, far from its dwelling.
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But Elohim redeems my being from the hand of Sheol, for He takes me. Selah.
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Do not fear when an ish becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
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For in his death he takes nothing; his glory does not descend after him.
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Though in his life he blesses his being— and they praise you when you do well for yourself—
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it comes to the generation of his fathers; they never see light.
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Adam in honor, yet without understanding, is like beasts that perish.