Psalms 49 (49:1) For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. (49:2) Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

JPS_ASV_Byz⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ (49:1) For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. (49:2) Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world, ² (49:3) Both low and high, rich and poor together. ³ (49:4) My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. ⁴ (49:5) I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp. ⁵ (49:6) Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about, ⁶ (49:7) Of them that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches? ⁷ (49:8) No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him - ⁸ (49:9) For too costly is the redemption of their soul, and must be let alone for ever - ⁹ (49:10) That he should still live alway, that he should not see the pit. ¹⁰ (49:11) For he seeth that wise men die, the fool and the brutish together perish, and leave their wealth to others. ¹¹ (49:12) Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. ¹² (49:13) But man abideth not in honour; he is like the beasts that perish. ¹³ (49:14) This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve their sayings. Selah ¹⁴ (49:15) Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, that there be no habitation for it. ¹⁵ (49:16) But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world; for He shall receive me. Selah ¹⁶ (49:17) Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when the wealth of his house is increased; ¹⁷ (49:18) For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him. ¹⁸ (49:19) Though while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself'; ¹⁹ (49:20) It shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light. ²⁰ (49:21) Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish.