I’d be with the earth’s kings and rulers. They had built for themselves places that are now destroyed.

和地上为自己重造荒邱的君王、谋士，

与那些为自己重建荒凉之处，地上的君王和谋士在一起；

与那些为自己重建荒凉之处，地上的君王和谋士在一起；

与世上的君王和谋臣作伴——他们建造的宫殿已荒废，

与世上那些为自己建造陵墓的君王和谋士同睡，

和地上為自己重造荒邱的君王、謀士，

與那些為自己重建荒涼之處，地上的君王和謀士在一起；

與那些為自己重建荒涼之處，地上的君王和謀士在一起；

與世上的君王和謀臣作伴——他們建造的宮殿已荒廢，

與世上那些為自己建造陵墓的君王和謀士同睡，

跟地上的君王和謀士、跟為自己造荒陵的同安息，

與為己重建邱墟之君相同在、

國王議士、當年所築之陵墓、而今安在。元戎巨富、金銀充棟、而今烏有、我欲與之同歸於盡。

世間君王卿相、卿相或作義士為己建陵墓、彼皆死亡、我亦與之相同、

with kings and rulers of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,

with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves,

I would rest with the world’s kings and prime ministers, whose great buildings now lie in ruins.

with the kings and counselors of the earth, who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,

With kings and counselors of the earth, Who rebuilt ruins for themselves;

With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built ruins for themselves,

With kings and counsellors of the earth, Who built up waste places for themselves;

with the kings and counselors of the earth, who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,

With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

with kings and counselors of the earth who built for themselves places now desolate,

with kings and counselors of the earth, who built up waste places for themselves;

They’ll live in towns that have been destroyed. They’ll live in houses where no one else lives. The houses will crumble to pieces.

All of them call out to you. They say,‘ You have become weak, just as we are. You have become like us.’Your grand show of power has been brought down to the grave. The noise of your harps has come down here along with your power. Maggots are spread out under you. Worms cover you.“ King of Babylon, you thought you were the bright morning star. But now you have fallen from heaven! You once brought down nations. But now you have been thrown down to the earth!You said in your heart,‘ I will go up to the heavens. I’ll raise my throne above the stars of God. I’ll sit as king on the mountain where the gods meet. I’ll set up my throne on the highest slopes of Mount Zaphon.I will rise above the tops of the clouds. I’ll make myself like the Most High God.’But now you have been brought down to the place of the dead. You have been thrown into the deepest part of the pit.“ Those who see you stare at you. They think about what has happened to you. They say to themselves,‘ Is this the man who shook the earth? Is he the one who made kingdoms tremble with fear?

They trust in their wealth. They brag about how rich they are.No one can pay for the life of anyone else. No one can give God what that would cost.The price for a life is very high. No payment is ever enough.No one can pay enough to live forever and not rot in the grave.Everyone can see that even wise people die. People who are foolish and who have no sense also pass away. All of them leave their wealth to others.

Then he joined the members of his family who had already died. He was buried in the city of his father David. Solomon’s son Rehoboam became the next king after him.

Who can live and not die? Who can escape the power of the grave?

So I will bring you down together with those who go down into the grave. The people there lived long ago. You will have to live in the earth below. It will be like living in buildings that were destroyed many years ago. You will go down into the grave along with others. And you will never come back. You will not take your place in this world again.

David joined the members of his family who had already died. He was buried in the City of David.

“‘ “Damascus did business with you. That’s because you had so many products and so much wealth. They traded to you wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar.They also traded to you casks of wine from Izal. You traded to them wrought iron, cassia and calamus.“‘ “Dedan traded saddle blankets to you.“‘ “Arabia and all the princes of Kedar bought goods from you. They traded you lambs, rams and goats for them.“‘ “Traders from Sheba and Raamah did business with you. They traded the finest spices, jewels and gold for your goods.“‘ “Harran, Kanneh and Eden did business with you. So did traders from Sheba, Ashur and Kilmad.In your market they traded beautiful clothes, blue cloth, and needlework to you. They also traded colorful rugs that had twisted cords and tight knots.“‘ “The ships of Tarshish carry your products. You are like a ship filled with a heavy load as you sail the sea.The sailors who man your oars take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you in pieces far out at sea.You will be wrecked on that day. Your wealth, goods and products will sink deep into the sea. So will your sailors, officers, carpenters, traders and all your soldiers. Anyone else on board will sink too.The lands along the coast will shake when your sailors cry out.All those who man the oars will desert their ships. The sailors and all the officers will stand on the shore.They will raise their voices. They will cry bitterly over you. They will sprinkle dust on their heads. They will roll in ashes.They will shave their heads because of you. And they will put on the clothes of sadness. They will weep over you. Their spirits will be greatly troubled. They will be very sad.As they weep and mourn over you, they will sing a song of sadness about you. They will say,‘ Who was ever like Tyre? It was destroyed in the sea.’

I know that you will bring me down to death. That’s what you have appointed for everyone.

He removes the wisdom of rulers and leads them away. He makes judges look foolish.

How terrible it will be for you who get too many houses! How terrible for you who get too many fields! Finally there won’t be any space left in the land. Then you will live all alone.

Your people will rebuild the cities that were destroyed long ago. And you will build again on the old foundations. You will be called One Who Repairs Broken Walls. You will be called One Who Makes City Streets Like New Again.

No one can stop the wind from blowing. And no one has the power to decide when they will die. No one is let out of the army in times of war. And evil won’t let go of those who practice it.

They are like sheep and will end up in the grave. Death will be their shepherd. But when honest people come to power, a new day will dawn. The bodies of sinners will waste away in the grave. They will end up far away from their princely houses.