Money and Mortality

^[1] For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, ^[2] both low and high, rich and poor alike: ^[3] My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. ^[4] I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: ^[5] Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me- ^[6] those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? ^[7] No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them- ^[8] the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough- ^[9] so that they should live on forever and not see decay. ^[10] For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. ^[11] Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. ^[12] People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. ^[13] This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. ^[14] They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. ^[15] But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. ^[16] Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; ^[17] for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. ^[18] Though while they live they count themselves blessed- and people praise you when you prosper- ^[19] they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. ^[20] People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.