Surely men of low degree [are] a vapor, Men of high degree [are] a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They [are] altogether [lighter] than vapor.

Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set [your] heart [on them.]

I [was] so foolish and ignorant; I was [like] a beast before You.

A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.

I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are [like] animals."

Professing to be wise, they became fools,

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

"No doubt you [are] the people, And wisdom will die with you!

But I have understanding as well as you; I [am] not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not [know] such things as these?

And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom, And to depart from evil [is] understanding.' "

Surely I [am] more stupid than [any] man, And do not have the understanding of a man.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What [is] His name, and what [is] His Son's name, If you know?

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."

Who [is] wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct [that] his works [are done] in the meekness of wisdom.

This wisdom does not descend from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, demonic.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

"What [is] man, that he could be pure? And [he who is] born of a woman, that he could be righteous?

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?

"Who set the wild donkey free? Who loosed the bonds of the onager,

He scorns the tumult of the city; He does not heed the shouts of the driver.

A wild donkey used to the wilderness, [That] sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her.