Psalm 49 - 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

49 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

2 both low and high, rich and poor together.

3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels shall compass me about?

6 They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches,

7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him

8 (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever),

9 that they should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

10 For he seeth that wise men die; likewise the fool and the brutish person perish and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man, though he be in honor, abideth not; he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This their way is their folly, yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah

14 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 be consumed in the grave away from their dwelling.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah

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 for thyself),

19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

20 Man, though he is in honor but understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.