| International Standard Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world, | 1Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world, |
| 2both average people and those of means, the rich and the poor together. | 2both average people and those of means, the rich and the poor together. |
| 3My mouth will speak wisely, and I will understand what I think about. | 3My mouth will speak wisely, and I will understand what I think about. |
| 4I will focus my attention on a proverb; I will use the harp to expound my riddle. | 4I will focus my attention on a proverb; I will use the harp to expound my riddle. |
| 5Why should I be afraid when evil days come my way, when the wickedness of those who deceive me surrounds me— | 5Why should I be afraid when evil days come my way, when the wickedness of those who deceive me surrounds me— |
| 6those who put confidence in their wealth and boast about their great riches? | 6those who put confidence in their wealth and boast about their great riches? |
| 7No man can redeem the life of another, nor can he give to God a sufficient payment for him— | 7No man can redeem the life of another, nor can he give to God a sufficient payment for him— |
| 8for it would cost too much to redeem his life, and the payments would go on forever— | 8for it would cost too much to redeem his life, and the payments would go on forever— |
| 9that he should go on living and not see corruption. | 9that he should go on living and not see corruption. |
| 10Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others. | 10Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others. |
| 11Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves. | 11Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves. |
| 12But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals. | 12But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals. |
| 13This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude | 13This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude |
| 14Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home. | 14Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home. |
| 15God will truly redeem me from the power of Sheol. He will surely receive me! Interlude | 15God will truly redeem me from the power of Sheol. He will surely receive me! Interlude |
| 16Don't be afraid when someone gets rich, when the glory of his household increases. | 16Don't be afraid when someone gets rich, when the glory of his household increases. |
| 17When he dies, he will not be able to take it all with him — his possessions will not follow him to the grave, | 17When he dies, he will not be able to take it all with him — his possessions will not follow him to the grave, |
| 18although he considers himself blessed while he's alive. Though people praise you for doing well, | 18although he considers himself blessed while he's alive. Though people praise you for doing well, |
| 19you will end up like your ancestors' generation, never again to see the light of day! | 19you will end up like your ancestors' generation, never again to see the light of day! |
| 20Humanity, despite its conceit, does not understand that it will perish, just like the animals. | 20Humanity, despite its conceit, does not understand that it will perish, just like the animals. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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