49:1 HEAR THIS, all you peoples; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world, |
49:2 Both low and high, rich and poor together: |
49:3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. |
49:4 I will submit {and} consent to a parable {or} proverb; to the music of a lyre I will unfold my riddle (my problem). |
49:5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of those who would supplant me surrounds me on every side, |
49:6 Even of those who trust in {and} lean on their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? |
49:7 None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him-- |
49:8 For the ransom of a life is too costly, and [the price one can pay] can never suffice-- |
49:9 So that he should live on forever {and} never see the pit (the grave) {and} corruption. |
49:10 For he sees that even wise men die; the [self-confident] fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others. |
49:11 Their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, {and} their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands their own [apart from God] {and} after their own names. |
49:12 But man, with all his honor {and} pomp, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. |
49:13 This is the fate of those who are foolishly confident, yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! |
49:14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the place of the dead); death shall be their shepherd. And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form {and} beauty shall be consumed, for Sheol shall be their dwelling. |
49:15 But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! |
49:16 Be not afraid when [an ungodly] one is made rich, when the wealth {and} glory of his house are increased; |
49:17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him. |
49:18 Though while he lives he counts himself happy {and} prosperous, and though a man gets praise when he does well [for himself], |
49:19 He will go to the generation of his fathers, who will nevermore see the light. |
49:20 A man who is held in honor and understands not is like the beasts that perish. |