49:1  For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,

49:2  Both low and high, Rich and poor together.

49:3  My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.

49:4  I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.

49:5  Why should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

49:6  Those who trust in their wealth, And boast in the multitude of their riches--

49:7  None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give God a ransom for him.

49:8  For the redemption of their life is costly, No payment is ever enough,

49:9  That he should live on forever, That he should not see corruption.

49:10  For he sees that wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless perish, And leave their wealth to others.

49:11  Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, And their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.

49:12  But man, despite his riches, doesn't endure. He is like the animals that perish.

49:13  This is the destiny of those who are foolish, And of those who approve their sayings. Selah.

49:14  They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, Far from their mansion.

49:15  But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For he will receive me. Selah.

49:16  Don't be afraid when a man is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased.

49:17  For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.

49:18  Though while he lived he blessed his soul-- And men praise you when you do well for yourself--

49:19  He shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.

49:20  A man who has riches without understanding, Is like the animals that perish.