49 For the musical director: a song by Korah’s descendants.

49 Hear this, all you peoples.

Listen to this, all you inhabitants of the world,

2 ≈both low and high—

≈rich and poor together.

3 I’ll talk about wisdom

≈and my inner thoughts will be about understanding.

4 I’ll listen to a proverb.

I’ll introduce my riddle with a harp piece.

5 Why should I fear in evil times?

≈Why should I be afraid when I’m surrounded by wickedness?

6 Why should I fear those who trust in their riches

≈and boast about their extensive wealth?

7 It is certain that no one can redeem his brother

≈or pay God a ransom for him,

8 because it’s very expensive to buy back someone’s life,

≈and no one can pay what we owe.

9 No one can live forever

≈so that they wouldn’t experience the grave,

10 because he will see decay—even wise people die.

≈The fool and the brute alike come to an end

→and leave their wealth to others.

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