Psalm 49

O hear ye this, all ye people  *

ponder it with your ears, all ye that dwell in the world;

High and low, rich and poor *

one with another.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom *

and my heart shall muse of understanding.

I will incline mine ear to the parable *

and shew my dark speech upon the harp.

Wherefore should I fear in the days of wickedness *

and when the wickedness of my heels compasseth me round about?

There be some that put their trust in their goods *

and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches.

But no man may deliver his brother *

nor make agreement unto God for him;

For it cost more to redeem their souls *

so that he must let that alone for ever;

Yea, though he live long *

and see not the grave.

For he seeth that wise men also die, and perish together *

as well as the ignorant and foolish, and leave their riches for other.

And yet they think that their houses shall continue for ever *

and that their dwelling-places shall endure from one generation to another; and call the lands after their own names.

Nevertheless, man will not abide in honour *

seeing he may be compared unto the beasts that perish; this is the way of them.