Psalm 49:5–11

Why should I fear in times of trouble,

when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,

those who trust in their wealth

and boast of the abundance of their riches?

Truly no man can ransom another,

or give to God the price of his life,

for the ransom of their life is costly

and can never suffice,

that he should live on forever

and never see the pit.

For he sees that even the wise die;

the fool and the stupid alike must perish

and leave their wealth to others.

Their graves are their homes forever,

their dwelling places to all generations,

though they called lands by their own names.

Why should I fear when evil days come,

when wicked deceivers surround me—

those who trust in their wealth

and boast of their great riches?

No one can redeem the life of another

or give to God a ransom for them—

the ransom for a life is costly,

no payment is ever enough—

so that they should live on forever

and not see decay.

For all can see that the wise die,

that the foolish and the senseless also perish,

leaving their wealth to others.

Their tombs will remain their houses forever,

their dwellings for endless generations,

though they had named lands after themselves.

Why should I fear in times of trouble?

The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.

They trust in their wealth

and boast of their abundant riches.

Yet these cannot redeem a person

or pay his ransom to God—

since the price of redeeming him is too costly,

one should forever stop trying—

so that he may live forever

and not see the Pit.

For one can see that the wise die;

the foolish and stupid also pass away.

Then they leave their wealth to others.

Their graves are their permanent homes,

their dwellings from generation to generation,

though they have named estates after themselves.

Why should I fear when trouble comes,

when enemies surround me?

They trust in their wealth

and boast of great riches.

Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death

by paying a ransom to God.

Redemption does not come so easily,

for no one can ever pay enough

to live forever

and never see the grave.

Those who are wise must finally die,

just like the foolish and senseless,

leaving all their wealth behind.

The grave is their eternal home,

where they will stay forever.

They may name their estates after themselves,

Why should I fear in times of calamity,

when iniquity surrounds me at my heels,

those who trust their wealth

and boast about the abundance of their riches?

Surely a man cannot redeem a brother.

He cannot give to God his ransom

(since the redemption price for their life is costly

and it always fails),

so that he may stay alive forever

and not see the pit.

For he sees that the wise die,

together with the fool and brute they perish,

and leave their wealth to the next generation.

Within them they think their houses are forever,

their dwelling places from generation to generation.

They name their lands by their own names.

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil,

When the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

They that trust in their wealth,

And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

None of them can by any means redeem his brother,

Nor give to God a ransom for him:

(For the redemption of their soul is precious,

And it ceaseth for ever:)

That he should still live for ever,

And not see corruption.

For he seeth that wise men die,

Likewise the fool and the brutish person perish,

And leave their wealth to others.

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.