The Evanescence of Wealth

1(48:1) For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. Hear these words, all ye nations, hearken, all ye that dwell upon the earth:

2(48:2) both the sons of mean men, and sons of great men; the rich and poor man together.

3(48:3) My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding.

4(48:4) I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my riddle on the harp.

5(48:5) Wherefore should I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall compass me.

6(48:6) They that trust in their strength, and boast themselves in the multitude of their wealth -

7(48:7) A brother does not redeem, shall a man redeem? he shall not give to God a ransom for himself,

8(48:8) or the price of the redemption of his soul, though he labour for ever,

9(48:9) and live to the end, so that he should not see corruption.

10(48:10) When he shall see wise men dying, the fool and the senseless one shall perish together; and they shall leave their wealth to strangers.

11(48:11) And their sepulchres are their houses for ever, even their tabernacles to all generations: they have called their lands after their own names.

12(48:12) And man being in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them.

13(48:13) This their way is an offence to them: yet afterwards men will commend their sayings. Pause.

14(48:14) They have laid them as sheep in Hades; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their help shall fail in Hades from their glory.

15(48:15) But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. Pause.

16(48:16) Fear not when a man is enriched, and when the glory of his house is increased.

17(48:17) For he shall take nothing when he dies; neither shall his glory descend with him.

18(48:18) For his soul shall be blessed in his life: he shall give thanks to thee when thou dost well to him.

19(48:19) Yet he shall go in to the generation of his fathers; he shall never see light.

20(48:20) Man that is in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like them.