Psalms 49:4-13

⁴I pay attention to wise sayings; I answer hard questions to a tune on the harp.

⁵Why should I be afraid when trouble comes, when evil enemies surround me?

⁶They trust in their wealth; they boast about their riches,

⁷but no one can pay to rescue another from death; no one can pay a ransom to God.

⁸Redemption is beyond price; no one could ever pay enough

⁹that they could live forever and not face the grave.

¹⁰Everyone knows that the wise die, those who are foolish and stupid too, leaving what they have to the next generation.

¹¹They think their homes will last forever, that where they live will continue for all generations.

¹²But human beings, for all their fame, don't understand. They die, just like the animals.

¹³This is the way of foolish people, yet those who come after them think they were clever! Selah.