The transience of wealth
(Ecclesiastes 5:8-20)
1
TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. Hear this, all you peoples, || Give ear, all you inhabitants of the world.
2
Both low and high, together rich and needy.
3
My mouth speaks wise things, || And the meditations of my heart [are] things of understanding.
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I incline my ear to an allegory, || I open my riddle with a harp:
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Why do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters surrounds me.
6
Those trusting on their wealth, || And in the multitude of their riches, || Show themselves foolish.
7
A brother ransoms no one at all, || He does not give to God his atonement.
8
And precious [is] the redemption of their soul, || And it has ceased for all time.
9
And still he lives forever, || He does not see the pit.
10
For he sees wise men die, || Together the foolish and brutish perish, || And have left their wealth to others.
11
Their heart [is that] their houses [are] for all time, || Their dwelling places from generation to generation. They proclaimed their names over the lands.
12
And man does not remain in honor, || He has been like the beasts, they have been cut off.
13
This their way [is] folly for them, || And their posterity are pleased with their sayings. Selah.
14
They have set themselves as sheep for Sheol, || Death afflicts them, || And the upright rule over them in the morning, || And their form [is] for consumption. Sheol [is] a dwelling for him.
15
Only, God ransoms my soul from the hand of Sheol, || For He receives me. Selah.
16
Do not fear when one makes wealth, || When the glory of his house is abundant,
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For at his death he receives nothing, || His glory does not go down after him.
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For he blesses his soul in his life || (And they praise you when you do well for yourself).
19
It comes to the generation of his fathers, || They do not see the light forever.
20
Man in honor, who does not understand, || Has been like the beasts, they have been cut off!
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