Psalms 49
1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. A psalm.
2 Hear this, all peoples; pay attention, all who live in the world.
3 Both children of humankind and children of man, rich and poor alike.
4 My mouth will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
5 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will explain my riddle to the sound of the harp.
6 Why should I fear in days of trouble, when the guilt of those who pursue me surrounds me?
7 They trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches.
8 A brother cannot possibly redeem anyone or pay God the price of his ransom.
9 For the ransom of their lives is far too costly, and he must give it up forever.
10 No one lives forever without seeing the grave.
11 For it is plain that the wise die, and the fool and the ignorant perish together, leaving their wealth to others.
12 Their innermost thought is that their homes will last forever, their dwellings from generation to generation; they have named lands after themselves.
13 But a human being, even in honor, does not remain; he is like the animals, which perish.
14 This is their way, their own folly; and after them, others approve their words. Selah.
15 They are appointed like sheep for Sheol; death shepherds them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their strength will be consumed by Sheol, far from their dwelling.
16 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah.
17 Do not fear when someone becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
18 For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; his glory will not descend after him.
19 For in his lifetime he considers himself blessed, and people praise you when you prosper.
20 His soul will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never again see the light.
21 A human being in honor, but without understanding, is like the animals, which perish.
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