Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/652

 Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; * that you may tell those who come after.

This God is our God for ever and ever; * he shall be our guide for evermore.

Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world, * you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom, * and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

I will incline my ear to a proverb * and set forth my riddle upon the harp.

Why should I be afraid in evil days, * when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,

The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, * and boast of their great riches?

We can never ransom ourselves, * or deliver to God the price of our life;

For the ransom of our life is so great, * that we should never have enough to pay it,

In order to live for ever and ever, * and never see the grave.

For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish * and leave their wealth to those who come after them.