1 Everyone on this earth,

now listen to what I say!

2 Listen, no matter who you are,

rich or poor.

3 I speak words of wisdom,

and my thoughts make sense.

4 I have in mind a mystery

that I will explain

while playing my harp.

5 Why should I be afraid

in times of trouble,

when I am surrounded

by vicious enemies?

6 They trust in their riches

and brag about

all their wealth.

7 You cannot buy back your life

or pay off God!

8 It costs far too much

to buy back your life.

You can never pay God enough

9 to stay alive forever

and safe from death.

10 * We see that wise people die,

and so do stupid fools.

Then their money is left

for someone else.

11 The grave* will be their home

forever and ever,

although they once had land

of their own.

12 Our human glory disappears,

and, like animals, we die.

13 Here is what happens to fools

and to those who trust

the words of fools:*

14 They are like sheep

with death as their shepherd,

leading them to the grave.

In the morning God's people

will walk all over them,*

as their bodies lie rotting

in their home, the grave.

15 But God will rescue me

from the power of death.

16 Don't let it bother you

when others get rich

and live in luxury.

17 Soon they will die

and all their wealth

will be left behind.

18 We humans are praised

when we do well,

and all of us are glad

to be alive.

19 But we each will go down

to our ancestors,

never again to see

the light of day.

20 Our human glory disappears,

and, like animals, we die.