Hear this all people, and give ear, All ye that dwell on earth

1. Hear this, all people, and give ear,
All ye that dwell on earth;
2. You're all concerned, both high, and low,
Of base, or noble Bbrth.
3. My mouth shall speak of weighty things,
Which wisdom will impart;
Of sacred understanding are
The musings of my heart.

4. To search out secret parables,
I will incline mine ear:
And with soft touches of my harp,
Mysterious truths declare.
5. Wherefore should I, in evil days,
Be overwhelmed with fears;
When the transgressions of my heels
Encompass me with snares?

6. There's none of those who trust in wealth,
And in their riches boast,
7. Their brother can redeem; or give
To God sufficient cost;
8. (Life's of too great a price for wealth,
No sum can equal be;)
9. That he should still forever live.
And no corruption see.

10. 'Tis daily seen, that wise and fools
Alike go to the grave;
And all their wealth, though ne'er so loath,
To their successors leave.

Second Part

11. Man vainly thinks, his house shall stand,
Forever fixed in fame;
And therefore calls his dwelling place
And lands, by his own name.

12. But man, in honor, soon decays;
And, like the beasts, he dies;
13. Their folly's great; and yet their sons
Still think their sayings wise.

14. Like sheep, they're crowded in the grave,
Death's prey; o'er them the just
Reign in the morn; their strength's consumed,
Whose dwelling's in the dust.
15. But God will, in that glorious day,
Me from the grave retrieve;
Redeem me from the power of death,
And to himself receive.

16. Then ben't concerned if men grow rich;
Their house in glory rise.
17. Death drips them of their former pomp,
Their glory, with them, dies.
18. Though while he lived, he blessed himself;
And men his skill shall praise.
19. He shall go to his father's race;
And ne'er see happy days.

20. Man, that to honor is advanced,
And is not truly wise;
As void of understanding lives,
So like a beast he dies.