16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,

when the splendor of their houses increases;

17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,

their splendor will not descend with them.

18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—

and people praise you when you prosper—

19 they will join those who have gone before them,

who will never again see the light of life.

20 People who have wealth but lack understanding

are like the beasts that perish.

16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,

when the glory of his house increases.

17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;

his glory will not go down after him.

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

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

19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,

who will never again see light.

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

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich,

When the glory of his house is increased;

17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away:

His glory shall not descend after him.

18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul:

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

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They shall never see light.

20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not,

Is like the beasts that perish.

16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich

and their homes become ever more splendid.

17 For when they die, they take nothing with them.

Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate

and are applauded for their success.

19 But they will die like all before them

and never again see the light of day.

20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;

they will die, just like animals.

16 Don’t be afraid of rich people

because their houses are more beautiful.

17 They don’t take anything to the grave;

their wealth won’t go down with them.

18 Even though they were praised when they were alive—

and people may praise you when you succeed—

19 they will go to where their ancestors are.

They will never see light again.

20 Rich people with no understanding

are just like animals that die.

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich,

When the glory of his house is increased:

17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away;

His glory shall not descend after him.

18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul

(And men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself),

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They shall never see the light.

20 Man that is in honor, and understandeth not,

Is like the beasts that perish.

16 Be not afraid when a man becometh rich, when the glory of his house is increased: 17 For when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. 18 Though he blessed his soul in his lifetime, —and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself, — 19 It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light. 20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

16 Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich, 

when the greatness of his house increases. 

17 He will not take anything with him when he dies. 

His greatness cannot follow him. 

18 Even though he blesses himself while he is alive 

(and they praise you when you do well for yourself), 

19 he must join the generation of his ancestors, 

who will never see light ⸤again⸥. 

20 Mortals, with what they treasure, still don’t have understanding. 

They are like animals that die. 

16 Do not be afraid when a man gets rich,

when the wealth of his house increases.

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

his wealth will not follow him down.

18 Though he praises himself during his lifetime—

and people praise you when you do well for yourself —

19 he will go to the generation of his fathers;

they will never see the light.

20 A man with valuable possessions

but without understanding

is like the animals that perish.

16 Do not be afraid when some become rich,

when the wealth of their houses increases.

17 For when they die they will carry nothing away;

their wealth will not go down after them.

18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy

—for you are praised when you do well for yourself—

19 they will go to the company of their ancestors,

who will never again see the light.

20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;

they are like the animals that perish.

16 Do not fear when a man becomes rich,

when the wealth of his house increases,

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

His wealth will not follow down after him.

18 Though he congratulated his soul while he was living

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

19 it will go to the generation of his fathers.

Never will they see light.

20 Humankind in its pomp, but does not understand,

is like the beasts that perish.

16 Don’t be upset when someone becomes rich.

Don’t be troubled when he becomes more and more wealthy.

17 He won’t take anything with him when he dies.

His riches won’t go down to the grave with him.

18 While he lived, he believed he was blessed.

People praised him when things were going well for him.

19 But he will die, like his people of long ago.

He will never again see the light that leads to life.

20 People who have riches but don’t understand

are like the animals. They die.

16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,

When the glory of his house is increased;

17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;

His glory will not descend after him.

18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself—

And though men praise you when you do well for yourself—

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They will never see the light.

20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,

Is like the beasts that perish.