⁵ that the mirth of the wicked^(A) is brief,
    the joy of the godless^(B) lasts but a moment.^(C)
6 Though the pride^(D) of the godless person reaches to the heavens^(E)
    and his head touches the clouds,^(F)
7 he will perish forever,^(G) like his own dung;
    those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’^(H)
8 Like a dream^(I) he flies away,^(J) no more to be found,
    banished^(K) like a vision of the night.^(L)
9 The eye that saw him will not see him again;
    his place will look on him no more.^(M)

²⁴ For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone;^(A)
    they are brought low and gathered up like all others;^(B)
    they are cut off like heads of grain.^(C)

¹¹ Their tombs^(A) will remain their houses^[a] forever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,^(B)
    though they had^[b] named^(C) lands after themselves.

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

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(F)
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[c]
14 They are like sheep and are destined^(G) to die;^(H)
    death will be their shepherd
    (but the upright will prevail^(I) 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;^(J)
    he will surely take me to himself.^(K)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing^(L) with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.^(M)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(N)
    and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,^(O)
    who will never again see the light^(P) of life.

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