Psalms 49
1 For the leader. Of the Korahites. A psalm. Hear this, you peoples all; attend, all you who live in the world
Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core. Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.
2 people of low degree and high, the rich and the poor together.
All you that are earthborn, and you sons of men: both rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall utter wisdom, the thoughts of a seeing heart.
My mouth shall speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding.
4 I incline my ear to a proverb, on the lyre I will open my riddle.
I will incline my ear to a parable; I will open my proposition on the psaltery.
5 Why should I be afraid in the days of misfortune, when circled by wicked and cunning foes,
Why shall I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.
6 who put their trust in their wealth, and boast of their boundless riches?
They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches,
7 For assuredly no one can ransom themselves, or give to God the price of their life,
No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom,
8 for the ransom of a life is costly, no payment is ever enough,
Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever,
9 to keep them alive for ever and ever, so as never to see the pit at all.
And shall still live unto the end.
10 But see it they will. Even wise people die, the fool and the brutish perish alike, and abandon their wealth to others.
He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: the senseless and the fool shall perish together: And they shall leave their riches to strangers:
11 The grave is their everlasting home, the place they shall live in for ever and ever, though after their own names they called whole lands.
And their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever. Their dwelling places to all generations: they have called their lands by their names.
12 Despite their wealth, they perish like dumb animals.
And man when he was in honour did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them.
13 This is the fate of the confident fool, and the end of those who are pleased with their portion. (Selah)
This way of theirs is a stumblingblock to them: and afterwards they shall delight in their mouth.
14 Like sheep they descend to Sheol with Death for their shepherd; down they go straight to the grave, and their form wastes away in their home below. (Sheol h7585)
They are laid in hell like sheep: death shall feed upon them. And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their help shall decay in hell from their glory. (Sheol h7585)
15 But God will assuredly ransom my life from the hand of Sheol; for he will receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)
But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, when he shall receive me. (Sheol h7585)
16 So be not afraid when someone grows rich, when the wealth of their house increases.
Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, and when the glory of his house shall be increased.
17 Not a shred of it all can they take when they die, wealth cannot follow them down.
For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; nor shall his glory descend with him.
18 Though they count themselves happy, when they are alive, and win praise from many for faring so well,
For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.
19 they must join their ancestors, who see the light nevermore.
He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: and he shall never see light.
20 The wealthy are without understanding, they perish like dumb animals.
Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them.
