The Evanescence of Wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:8–20)
1 RV For the Chief Musician; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye 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 RV Both low and high, rich and poor together. BSB BSB: both low and high, rich and poor alike.
3 RV 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 RV I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. BSB BSB: I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
5 RV Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels compasseth me about? BSB BSB: Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?
6 RV They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; BSB BSB: They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
7 RV None of them 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 RV (For the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be let alone for ever:) BSB BSB: For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,
9 RV That he should still live alway, that he should not see corruption. BSB BSB: that he should live on forever and not see decay.
10 RV For he seeth that wise men die, the fool and the brutish together perish, and 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 RV 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. BSB BSB: Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes.
12 RV But man abideth not in honour: 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 RV This their way is their folly: yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah BSB BSB: This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah
14 RV They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd: and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. 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 RV But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he shall receive me. Selah BSB BSB: But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah
16 RV Be not thou afraid when one is made 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 RV 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 RV Though while he lived he blessed his soul, and men 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 RV He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light. BSB BSB: he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.
20 RV 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.