49:2 Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world,
49:3 You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor alike.
49:4 My mouth shall speak wisdom, my heart shall offer insight.
49:5 I will turn my attention to a problem, expound my question to the music of alyre.I
49:6 Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round,
49:7 Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches?
49:8 One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom.
49:9 Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough
49:10 To stay alive forever and never see the pit.
49:11 Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless pass awaytoo, and must leave their wealth to others.
49:12 Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations,though they gave their names to their lands.
49:13 For all their riches mortals do not abide; they perish like the beasts.II
49:14 This is the destiny of those who trust in folly, the end of those so pleasedwith their wealth. Selah
49:15 Like sheep they are herded into Sheol, where death will be their shepherd.Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol willbe their palace.
49:16 But God will redeem my life, will take me from the power of Sheol. Selah
49:17 Do not fear when others become rich, when the wealth of their houses growsgreat.
49:18 When they die they will take nothing with them, their wealth will not followthem down.
49:19 When living, they congratulate themselves and say: "All praise you, you doso well."
49:20 But they will join the company of their forebears, never again to see thelight.
49:21 For all their riches, if mortals do not have wisdom, they perish like thebeasts.