1<b>For the director of music. A song by the descendants of Korah.</b> Listen to this, all you people. Pay attention, everyone in the world,
2both common people and important people, rich and poor alike.
3My mouth will speak wise words. My heart will share understanding.
4I will listen closely to a wise saying. I will solve my riddle with the music of a harp.
5Why should I be afraid during troubled times, when the evil deeds of those who pursue me surround me?
6Those who trust in their money and brag about how much wealth they have—
7none of them can rescue their sibling, nor can they pay God a ransom for them.
8Because the price to save a life is too high; no payment is ever enough,
9for a person to live forever and never face decay.
10For everyone sees that wise people die; and foolish, senseless people also die and leave their wealth to others.
11Their secret thought is that their houses will last forever and their homes for all generations. They name their lands after themselves.
12But people, no matter how rich, do not last. They are like animals that die.
13This is what happens to those who are foolish, and to those who agree with their sayings. (Selah)
14They are destined for the grave like sheep. Death will be their shepherd. The honest will rule over them in the morning. Their beauty will rot in the grave, far from their grand homes.
15But God will save me from the power of the grave, because he will welcome me. (Selah)
16Don’t be afraid when a man gets rich, or when his family’s wealth and status grow;
17because when he dies, he won’t take anything with him. His wealth won’t follow him into the grave.
18Even though he congratulated himself throughout his life—and people praise you when you succeed—
19he will join his ancestors. They will never again see the light.
20A person who has riches but no understanding is like the animals that die.