39 When a man becomes rich. Why would people fear such a development? The acquisition of wealth makes individuals powerful and enables them to oppress others (see vv. 5–6).
40 Heb “when the glory of his house grows great.”
41 Heb “his glory will not go down after him.”
42 Verses 18–19a are one long sentence in the Hebrew text, which reads: “Though he blesses his soul in his life, [saying], ‘And let them praise you, for you do well for yourself,’ it [that is, his soul] will go to the generation of his fathers.” This has been divided into two sentences in the translation for clarity, in keeping with the tendency of contemporary English to use shorter sentences.
43 Heb “light.” The words “of day” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
44 Heb “mankind in honor does not understand.” The Hebrew term יְקָר (yéqar, “honor”) probably refers here to the wealth mentioned in the preceding context. The imperfect verbal form draws attention to what is characteristically true. Some emend יָבִין (yavin, “understands”) to יָלִין (yalin, “remains”), but this is an unnecessary accommodation to the wording of v. 12.
45 Or “cattle.”
46 The Hebrew verb is derived from דָּמָה (damah, “cease, destroy”; 198 ). Another option is to derive the verb from דָּמָה (damah, “be silent”; see II דמה, which sees two homonymic roots [I דָּמַה, “be silent,” and II דָּמַה, “destroy”] rather than a single root) and translate, “they are like dumb beasts.” This makes particularly good sense here, where the preceding line focuses on mankind’s lack of understanding.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

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.

Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

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.

People who have wealth but lack understanding

are like the beasts that perish.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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.

Mankind, with his assets

but without understanding,

is like the animals that perish.

NLTNew Living Translation

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.

People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;

they will die, just like animals.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

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.

Humankind in its pomp, but does not understand,

is like the beasts that perish.

KJV 1900King James Version

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.

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not,

Is like the beasts that perish.

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