Psalm 49:1-20 (New International Version)
View In My BibleFor the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Hear1 this, all you peoples;2 listen, all who live in this world,3 2 both low and high,4 rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;5 the utterance from my heart will give understanding.6 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;7 with the harp8 I will expound my riddle:9 5 Why should I fear10 when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- 6 those who trust in their wealth11 and boast12 of their great riches?13 7 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-- 8 the ransom14 for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough--15 9 that he should live on16 forever and not see decay.17 10 For all can see that wise men die;18 the foolish and the senseless19 alike perish and leave their wealth20 to others.21 11 Their tombs22 will remain their housesa forever, their dwellings for endless generations,23 though they hadb named24 lands after themselves. 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure;25 he isc like the beasts that perish.26 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,27 and of their followers, who approve their sayings. "Selah" 14 Like sheep they are destined28 for the grave,d29 and death will feed on them. The upright will rule30 over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave,e far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my lifef from the grave;31 he will surely take me to himself.32 "Selah" 16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing33 with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.34 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--35 and men praise you when you prosper-- 19 he will join the generation of his fathers,36 who will never see the light37 [of life]. 20 A man who has riches without understanding38 is like the beasts that perish.39Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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