OEBcth - Psalms - 49

49:1  Hear this, you peoples all; give ear, all you who live in the world

49:2  people of low degree and high, the rich and the poor together.

49:3  My mouth shall utter wisdom, the thoughts of a seeing heart.

49:4  I incline my ear to a proverb, on the lyre I will open my riddle.

49:5  Why should I be afraid in the days of misfortune, when circled by wicked and cunning foes,

49:6  who put their trust in their wealth, and boast of their boundless riches?

49:7  For assuredly no one can ransom themselves, or give to God the price of their life,

49:8  for the ransom of a life is costly, no payment is ever enough,

49:9  to keep them alive for ever and ever, so as never to see the pit at all.

49:10  But see it they shall. Even wise people die, the fool and the brutish perish alike, and abandon their wealth to others.

49:11  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.

49:12  Humans do not sustain their wealth, like the beasts they perish.

49:13  This is the fate of the confident fool, and the end of those who are pleased with their portion. (Selah)

49:14  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.

49:15  But God will assuredly ransom my life from the hand of Sheol; for he will receive me. (Selah)

49:16  So be not afraid when someone grows rich, when the wealth of their house increases.

49:17  Not a shred of it all can they take when they die, wealth cannot follow them down.

49:18  Though they count themselves happy, when they are alive, and win praise from people for faring so well,

49:19  they must join their ancestors, who see the light nevermore.

49:20  Humans do not sustain their wealth, like the beasts they perish.