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

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,

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

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

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;

But their cities will be ruined. They will live in abandoned houses that are ready to tumble down.

With one voice they all cry out,‘ Now you are as weak as we are!Your might and power were buried with you. The sound of the harp in your palace has ceased. Now maggots are your sheet, and worms your blanket.’“ How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.For you said to yourself,‘ I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.Everyone there will stare at you and ask,‘ Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble?

They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enoughto live forever and never see the grave.Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.

When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.

No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave. Interlude

I will send you to the pit to join those who descended there long ago. Your city will lie in ruins, buried beneath the earth, like those in the pit who have entered the world of the dead. You will have no place of respect here in the land of the living.

Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David.

“ Damascus sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods, bringing wine from Helbon and white wool from Zahar.Greeks from Uzal came to trade for your merchandise. Wrought iron, cassia, and fragrant calamus were bartered for your wares.“ Dedan sent merchants to trade their expensive saddle blankets with you.The Arabians and the princes of Kedar sent merchants to trade lambs and rams and male goats in exchange for your goods.The merchants of Sheba and Raamah came with all kinds of spices, jewels, and gold in exchange for your wares.“ Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad came with their merchandise, too.They brought choice fabrics to trade— blue cloth, embroidery, and multicolored carpets rolled up and bound with cords.The ships of Tarshish were your ocean caravans. Your island warehouse was filled to the brim!“ But look! Your oarsmen have taken you into stormy seas! A mighty eastern gale has wrecked you in the heart of the sea!Everything is lost— your riches and wares, your sailors and pilots, your ship builders, merchants, and warriors. On the day of your ruin, everyone on board sinks into the depths of the sea.Your cities by the sea tremble as your pilots cry out in terror.All the oarsmen abandon their ships; the sailors and pilots stand on the shore.They cry aloud over you and weep bitterly. They throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.They shave their heads in grief for you and dress themselves in burlap. They weep for you with bitter anguish and deep mourning.As they wail and mourn over you, they sing this sad funeral song:‘ Was there ever such a city as Tyre, now silent at the bottom of the sea?

And I know you are sending me to my death— the destination of all who live.

He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools.

What sorrow for you who buy up house after house and field after field, until everyone is evicted and you live alone in the land.

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked.

Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates.