Ecclesiasticus / Sirach - Chapter 40

¹ A hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the day they come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them all.

² What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.

³ From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,

⁴ from the one who wears purple and a crown to the one dressed in sacking, all is fury and jealousy, turmoil and unrest, fear of death, rivalry, strife.

⁵ And even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:

⁶ scarcely has he lain down to rest, when in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is troubled with nightmares, like one who has escaped from a battle,

⁷ and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!

⁸ For all creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-

⁹ there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.

¹⁰ These things were all created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.

¹¹ All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.

¹² All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will stand for ever.

¹³ Ill-gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.

¹⁴ When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.

¹⁵ The sprigs of the godless will not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.

¹⁶ The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.

¹⁷ Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.

¹⁸ For a person of private means and one who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, one who finds a treasure.

¹⁹ Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.

²⁰ Wine and music cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.

²¹ Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.

²² The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.

²³ Friend or comrade -- it is always well met; better than either, a wife and husband.

²⁴ Brothers and allies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.

²⁵ Gold and silver will steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.

²⁶ Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With fear of the Lord, nothing is lacking: no need to seek for other help.

²⁷ Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.

²⁸ My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.

²⁹ A life spent in eyeing someone else's table cannot be accounted a life at all. Other people's food defiles the gullet; a wise, well-brought-up person will beware of doing this.

³⁰ What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his belly there burns a fire.

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