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49:1  Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world,
49:2  both average people and those of means, the rich and the poor together.
49:3  My mouth will speak wisely, and I will understand what I think about.
49:4  I will focus my attention on a proverb; I will use the harp to expound my riddle.
49:5  Why should I be afraid when evil days come my way, when the wickedness of those who deceive me surrounds me—
49:6  those who put confidence in their wealth and boast about their great riches?
49:7  No man can redeem the life of another, nor can he give to God a sufficient payment for him—
49:8  for it would cost too much to redeem his life, and the payments would go on forever—
49:9  that he should go on living and not see corruption.
49:10  Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others.
49:11  Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves.
49:12  But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals.
49:13  This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude
49:14  Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home.
49:15  God will truly redeem me from the power of Sheol. He will surely receive me! Interlude
49:16  Don't be afraid when someone gets rich, when the glory of his household increases.
49:17  When he dies, he will not be able to take it all with him — his possessions will not follow him to the grave,
49:18  although he considers himself blessed while he's alive. Though people praise you for doing well,
49:19  you will end up like your ancestors' generation, never again to see the light of day!
49:20  Humanity, despite its conceit, does not understand that it will perish, just like the animals.