Psalm 49:1-20 NIV

Psalm 49:1-20 NIV [1] Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, [2] both low and high, rich and poor alike: [3] My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. [4] I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: [5] Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— [6] those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? [7] No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— [8] the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— [9] so that they should live on forever and not see decay. [10] For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. [11] Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. [12] People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. [13] This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. [14] They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. [15] But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. [16] Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; [17] for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. [18] Though while they live they count themselves blessed—and people praise you when you prosper— [19] they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. [20] People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

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