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Chapter 49

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^{1 2} For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.

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Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world,

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You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor alike.

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My mouth shall speak wisdom, my heart shall offer insight.

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³ I will turn my attention to a problem, expound my question to the music of a lyre.

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Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round,

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Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches?

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⁴ One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom.

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Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough

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To stay alive forever and never see the pit.

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Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others.

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Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations, though they gave their names to their lands.

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For all their riches mortals do not abide; they perish like the beasts.

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This is the destiny of those who trust in folly, the end of those so pleased with their wealth. Selah

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Like sheep they are herded into Sheol, where death will be their shepherd. Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol will be their palace.

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⁵ But God will redeem my life, will take me from the power of Sheol. Selah

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Do not fear when others become rich, when the wealth of their houses grows great.

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When they die they will take nothing with them, their wealth will not follow them down.

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When living, they congratulate themselves and say: "All praise you, you do so well."

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But they will join the company of their forebears, never again to see the light.

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For all their riches, if mortals do not have wisdom, they perish like the beasts.