⁵ Why should I fear^(J) when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—
⁶ those who trust in their wealth^(K)
    and boast^(L) of their great riches?^(M)
7 No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—
⁸ the ransom^(N) for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—^(O)
9 so that they should live on^(P) forever
    and not see decay.^(Q)
10 For all can see that the wise die,^(R)
    that the foolish and the senseless^(S) also perish,
    leaving their wealth^(T) to others.^(U)
11 Their tombs^(V) will remain their houses^[b] forever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,^(W)
    though they had^[c] named^(X) lands after themselves.

¹² People, despite their wealth, do not endure;^(Y)
    they are like the beasts that perish.^(Z)

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(AA)
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[d]
14 They are like sheep and are destined^(AB) to die;^(AC)
    death will be their shepherd
    (but the upright will prevail^(AD) 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;^(AE)
    he will surely take me to himself.^(AF)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing^(AG) with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.^(AH)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(AI)
    and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,^(AJ)
    who will never again see the light^(AK) of life.

²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding^(AL)
    are like the beasts that perish.^(AM)

⁷ “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
    I will testify^(BD) against you, Israel:
    I am God, your God.^(BE)
8 I bring no charges^(BF) against you concerning your sacrifices
    or concerning your burnt offerings,^(BG) which are ever before me.
⁹ I have no need of a bull^(BH) from your stall
    or of goats^(BI) from your pens,^(BJ)
10 for every animal of the forest^(BK) is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.^(BL)
11 I know every bird^(BM) in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields^(BN) are mine.
¹² If I were hungry I would not tell you,
    for the world^(BO) is mine, and all that is in it.^(BP)
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats?

¹⁴ “Sacrifice thank offerings^(BQ) to God,
    fulfill your vows^(BR) to the Most High,^(BS)
15 and call^(BT) on me in the day of trouble;^(BU)
    I will deliver^(BV) you, and you will honor^(BW) me.”

“What right have you to recite my laws
    or take my covenant^(BX) on your lips?^(BY)
17 You hate^(BZ) my instruction
    and cast my words behind^(CA) you.
¹⁸ When you see a thief, you join^(CB) with him;
    you throw in your lot with adulterers.^(CC)
19 You use your mouth for evil
    and harness your tongue to deceit.^(CD)
20 You sit and testify against your brother^(CE)
    and slander your own mother’s son.
²¹ When you did these things and I kept silent,^(CF)
    you thought I was exactly^[g] like you.
But I now arraign^(CG) you
    and set my accusations^(CH) before you.

²² “Consider this, you who forget God,^(CI)
    or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:^(CJ)
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
    and to the blameless^[h] I will show my salvation.^(CK)”

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”^[c](C)—
³ “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”^[d](D)