1:19

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

19a
Such is the fate of all who are greedy,

19b whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.

Both lines state what happens to people who obtain wealth by wrongful means.

1:19a

Such is the fate of all who are greedy: The word Such marks the father’s/writer’s summary or conclusion of the first lesson. His conclusion is that death is the result for anyone who spends his life gaining wealth unjustly, like the criminals described in the preceding verses.

In some languages, a summary or conclusion may be introduced as follows:

So we(dual/incl) understand that…
-or-
What I mean to say is…

Use a natural way in your language to introduce this conclusion.

the fate: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fate can be literally translated as “ways.” Sometimes it refers to a person’s manner of life, but here it refers to the result or outcome of his manner of life.

are greedy: There are different ways to interpret the meaning of these words:

(1) These words refer to people who try to get rich illegally or dishonestly. For example:

Such are the paths of all who seek dishonest gain (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) These words refer broadly to people who are greedy/covetous. For example:

All greedy people end up this way (New Century Version)

(3) These words refer specifically to people who try to gain wealth by violence/murder. For example:

this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

1:19b

whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors: The first word whose refers to the “greedy” who are trying to become wealthy by doing what is wrong. The last word its refers to the wealth that is gained in this way. This meaning is clearly expressed by the New American Bible:

unlawful gain takes away the life of him who acquires it (New American Bible)

General Comment on 1:19a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parts of these two lines. For example:

To summarize, if you get wealth dishonestly, it will take away your life.

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