The Evanescence of Wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:8–20)
1 Brenton For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. Hear these words, all ye nations, hearken, all ye that dwell upon the earth: BSB BSB: For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
2 Brenton both the sons of mean men, and sons of great men; the rich and poor man together. BSB BSB: both low and high, rich and poor alike.
3 Brenton My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding. BSB BSB: My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
4 Brenton I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my riddle on the harp. BSB BSB: I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
5 Brenton Wherefore should I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall compass me. BSB BSB: Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?
6 Brenton They that trust in their strength, and boast themselves in the multitude of their wealth— BSB BSB: They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
7 Brenton A brother does not redeem, shall a man redeem? he shall not give to God a ransom for himself, BSB BSB: No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
8 Brenton or the price of the redemption of his soul, though he labour for ever, BSB BSB: For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,
9 Brenton and live to the end, so that he should not see corruption. BSB BSB: that he should live on forever and not see decay.
10 Brenton When he shall see wise men dying, the fool and the senseless one shall perish together; and they shall leave their wealth to strangers. BSB BSB: For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.
11 Brenton And their sepulchres are their houses for ever, even their tabernacles to all generations: they have called their lands after their own names. BSB BSB: Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes.
12 Brenton And man being in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them. BSB BSB: But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
13 Brenton This their way is an offence to them: yet afterwards men will commend their sayings. Pause. BSB BSB: This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah
14 Brenton 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. BSB BSB: Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.
15 Brenton But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. Pause. BSB BSB: But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah
16 Brenton Fear not when a man is enriched, and when the glory of his house is increased. BSB BSB: Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases.
17 Brenton For he shall take nothing when he dies; neither shall his glory descend with him. BSB BSB: For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.
18 Brenton For his soul shall be blessed in his life: he shall give thanks to thee when thou dost well to him. BSB BSB: Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper—
19 Brenton Yet he shall go in to the generation of his fathers; he shall never see light.BSB BSB: he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.
20 Brenton Man that is in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like them. BSB BSB: A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.