Psalm 49:13–19

This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;

yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah

Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;

death shall be their shepherd,

and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.

Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.

But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,

for he will receive me. Selah

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,

when the glory of his house increases.

For when he dies he will carry nothing away;

his glory will not go down after him.

For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed—

and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—

his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,

who will never again see light.

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,

and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

They are like sheep and are destined to die;

death will be their shepherd

(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).

Their forms will decay in the grave,

far from their princely mansions.

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;

he will surely take me to himself.

Do not be overawed when others grow rich,

when the splendor of their houses increases;

for they will take nothing with them when they die,

their splendor will not descend with them.

Though while they live they count themselves blessed—

and people praise you when you prosper—

they will join those who have gone before them,

who will never again see the light of life.

This is the way of those who are arrogant,

and of their followers,

who approve of their words.

Selah

Like sheep they are headed for Sheol;

Death will shepherd them.

The upright will rule over them in the morning,

and their form will waste away in Sheol,

far from their lofty abode.

But God will redeem me

from the power of Sheol,

for he will take me.

Selah

Do not be afraid when a person gets rich,

when the wealth of his house increases.

For when he dies, he will take nothing at all;

his wealth will not follow him down.

Though he blesses himself during his lifetime—

and you are acclaimed when you do well for yourself—

he will go to the generation of his ancestors;

they will never see the light.

This is the fate of fools,

though they are remembered as being wise.

Interlude

Like sheep, they are led to the grave,

where death will be their shepherd.

In the morning the godly will rule over them.

Their bodies will rot in the grave,

far from their grand estates.

But as for me, God will redeem my life.

He will snatch me from the power of the grave.

Interlude

So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich

and their homes become ever more splendid.

For when they die, they take nothing with them.

Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

In this life they consider themselves fortunate

and are applauded for their success.

But they will die like all before them

and never again see the light of day.

This is the journey of those who have foolish confidence,

and those after them who accept their sayings. Selah

Like sheep they are destined to Sheol;

death will shepherd them.

But the upright will rule over them in the morning,

and their forms will be for Sheol to consume,

far from his lofty abode.

Surely God will ransom my life

from the power of Sheol,

because he will receive me. Selah

Do not fear when a man becomes rich,

when the wealth of his house increases,

because when he dies he will not take away any of it.

His wealth will not follow down after him.

Though he congratulated his soul while he was living

—and people will praise you when you do well for yourself—

it will go to the generation of his fathers.

Never will they see light.

This their way is their folly:

Yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

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.

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave:

For he shall receive me. Selah.

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich,

When the glory of his house is increased;

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away:

His glory shall not descend after him.

Though while he lived he blessed his soul:

And men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They shall never see light.