The Evanescence of Wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:8–20)
1 DBY To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm. Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world: BSB BSB: For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
2 DBY Both men of low and men of high degree, rich and poor alike. BSB BSB: both low and high, rich and poor alike.
3 DBY My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding: BSB BSB: My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
4 DBY I will incline mine ear to a parable, I will open my riddle upon the harp. BSB BSB: I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
5 DBY Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, when the iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? — BSB BSB: Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?
6 DBY They depend upon their wealth, and boast themselves in the abundance of their riches. ... BSB BSB: They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
7 DBY None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, BSB BSB: No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
8 DBY (For the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be given up for ever,) BSB BSB: For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,
9 DBY That he should still live perpetually, and not see corruption. BSB BSB: that he should live on forever and not see decay.
10 DBY For he seeth that wise men die; all alike, the fool and the brutish perish, and they leave their wealth to others. 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 DBY Their inward thought is, that their houses are for ever, their dwelling-places from generation to generation: they call the 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 DBY Nevertheless, man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. BSB BSB: But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
13 DBY This their way is their folly, yet they that come after them delight in their sayings. Selah. BSB BSB: This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah
14 DBY Like sheep are they laid in Sheol: Death feedeth on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their comeliness shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for them. 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 DBY But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he will receive me. Selah. BSB BSB: But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah
16 DBY Be not afraid when a man becometh rich, 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 DBY For when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. BSB BSB: For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.
18 DBY Though he blessed his soul in his lifetime, — and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself, — BSB BSB: Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper—
19 DBY It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light. BSB BSB: he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.
20 DBY Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. 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.