1 Hear this, all ye people, hear,
Earth's inhabitants give ear;
All of high and low degree,
Rich and poor, give heed to me.

2 Truth with all my heart I seek,
And my mouth shall wisdom speak;
Hearken while in lyric strain
I make hidden wisdom plain.

3 Why should I to fear give way
When I see the evil day,
When with wickedness my foes
Shall surround me and oppose?

4 They that trust in treasured gold,
Tho' they boast of wealth untold,
None can bid his brother live,
None to God a ransom give.