Psalms 49

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:	1 For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.	2 Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world,
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.	3 You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor alike.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.	4 My mouth shall speak wisdom, my heart shall offer insight.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?	5 I will turn my attention to a problem, expound my question to the music of a lyre.
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;	6 Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round,
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:	7 Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches?
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)	8 One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom.
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.	9 Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.	10 To stay alive forever and never see the pit.
11 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.	11 Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.	12 Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations, though they gave their names to their lands.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.	13 For all their riches mortals do not abide; they perish like the beasts.
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.	14 This is the destiny of those who trust in folly, the end of those so pleased with their wealth. Selah
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.	15 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.
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;	16 But God will redeem my life, will take me from the power of Sheol. Selah
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.	17 Do not fear when others become rich, when the wealth of their houses grows great.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.	18 When they die they will take nothing with them, their wealth will not follow them down.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.	19 When living, they congratulate themselves and say: "All praise you, you do so well."
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.	20 But they will join the company of their forebears, never again to see the light.
	21 For all their riches, if mortals do not have wisdom, they perish like the beasts.