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<Alamoth.
To the chief music-maker.
Of the sons of Korah.
A Psalm.>

Give attention to this, all you peoples;
let your ears be open, all you who are living in the world.
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High and low together, the poor, and those who have wealth.
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From my mouth will come words of wisdom;
and in the thoughts of my heart will be knowledge.
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I will put my teaching into a story;
I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
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What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?
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Even of those whose faith is in their wealth, and whose hearts are lifted up because of their stores.
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Truly, no man may get back his soul for a price, or give to God the payment for himself;
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(Because it takes a great price to keep his soul from death, and man is not able to give it.)
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So that he might have eternal life, and never see the underworld.
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For he sees that wise men come to their end, and foolish persons of low behaviour come to destruction together, letting their wealth go to others.
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The place of the dead is their house for ever, and their resting-place through all generations;
those who come after them give their names to their lands.
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But man, like the animals, does not go on for ever;
he comes to an end like the beasts.
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This is the way of the foolish;
their silver is for those who come after them, and their children get the pleasure of their gold.
(Selah.)
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Death will give them their food like sheep;
the underworld is their fate and they will go down into it;
their flesh is food for worms;
their form is wasted away;
the underworld is their resting-place for ever.
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But God will get back my soul;
for he will take me from the power of death.
(Selah.)
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Have no fear when wealth comes to a man, and the glory of his house is increased;
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For at his death, he will take nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
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Though he might have pride in his soul in his life-time, and men will give you praise if you do well for yourself,
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He will go to the generation of his fathers;
he will not see the light again.
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Man, like the animals, does not go on for ever;
he comes to an end like the beasts.