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19 The small and the great are there,
    and the slaves are free from their masters.

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19 The small and the great are there,(A)
    and the slaves are freed from their owners.

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23 I know that you will bring me to death,
    to the house appointed for all living.(A)

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23 I know you will bring me down to death,(A)
    to the place appointed for all the living.(B)

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27 And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once and after that the judgment,(A)

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27 Just as people are destined to die once,(A) and after that to face judgment,(B)

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22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried.(A) 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.[b](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 16.22 Gk to Abraham’s bosom
  2. 16.23 Gk in his bosom

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

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and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath[a] returns to God who gave it.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.7 Or the spirit

and the dust returns(A) to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God(B) who gave it.(C)

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when one is afraid of heights, and terrors are in the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along,[a] and the caper bud falls; because all must go to their eternal home, and the mourners will go about the streets;(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.5 Or is a burden

when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home(A)
    and mourners(B) go about the streets.

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No one has power over the wind[a] to restrain the wind[b] or power over the day of death; there is no discharge from the battle, nor does wickedness deliver those who practice it.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 8.8 Or breath
  2. 8.8 Or breath

As no one has power over the wind to contain it,
    so[a] no one has power over the time of their death.
As no one is discharged in time of war,
    so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:8 Or over the human spirit to retain it, / and so

14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
    Death shall be their shepherd;
straight to the grave they descend,[a]
    and their form shall waste away;
    Sheol shall be their home.[b](A)
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
    for he will receive me. Selah(B)

16 Do not be afraid when some become rich,
    when the wealth of their houses increases.(C)
17 For when they die they will carry nothing away;
    their wealth will not go down after them.(D)
18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy
    —for you are praised when you do well for yourself—(E)
19 they[c] will go to the company of their ancestors,
    who will never again see the light.(F)
20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;
    they are like the animals that perish.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 49.14 Cn: Heb the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning
  2. 49.14 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. 49.19 Cn: Heb you

14 They are like sheep and are destined(A) to die;(B)
    death will be their shepherd
    (but the upright will prevail(C) 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;(D)
    he will surely take me to himself.(E)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing(F) with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.(G)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—(H)
    and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,(I)
    who will never again see the light(J) of life.

20 People who have wealth but lack understanding(K)
    are like the beasts that perish.(L)

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those who trust in their wealth
    and boast of the abundance of their riches?(A)
Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life;[a]
    there is no price one can give to God for it.(B)
For the ransom of life is costly
    and can never suffice,(C)
that one should live on forever
    and never see the Pit.(D)

10 When we look at the wise, they die;
    fool and dolt perish together
    and leave their wealth to others.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 49.7 Or no one can ransom a brother

those who trust in their wealth(A)
    and boast(B) of their great riches?(C)
No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—
the ransom(D) for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—(E)
so that they should live on(F) forever
    and not see decay.(G)
10 For all can see that the wise die,(H)
    that the foolish and the senseless(I) also perish,
    leaving their wealth(J) to others.(K)

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both low and high,
    rich and poor together.

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both low and high,(A)
    rich and poor alike:

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