⁵ Why should I fear in the days of evil,
    when the iniquity of my stalkers surrounds me?
⁶ Those who trust in their wealth,
    and boast in the multitude of their riches,
⁷ none of them can by any means redeem the other,
    nor give to God a ransom for anyone,
⁸ for the redemption of their souls is costly;
    even so people cease to exist forever,
⁹ making efforts to live eternally,
    and not see the pit.
¹⁰ For one sees that wise men die,
    together the fool and the brute perish,
    and leave their wealth to others.
¹¹ Their graves become their perpetual homes,
    and their dwelling places to all generations,
    though they call their lands after their own names.

¹² But a man does not abide in honor;
    mankind is like the beasts that come to ruin.

¹³ This is their way, it is their folly;
    yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah
¹⁴ Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
    Death shall be their shepherd;
the upright shall rule over them in the morning,
    and their form shall waste away in Sheol,
    far from their dwelling.
¹⁵ But God shall redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,
    for He shall receive me. Selah
¹⁶ Do not fear when one is made rich,
    when the glory of his house is increased,
¹⁷ for he takes nothing away in death;
    his glory does not descend after him.
¹⁸ Though while he lives he blesses his soul—
    and men will praise you when you do well for yourself—
¹⁹ that soul will go to the generation of his fathers;
    they will never see light.

²⁰ A man in honor, and yet without understanding,
    is like the animals that perish.