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Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 40
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Chapter 40
The wretchedness of man
1
Much hardship has been made for every man, a heavy yoke lies on the sons 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 brooding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.
3
From the man who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch on dust and ashes,
4
from the man who wears purple and a crown to the man clothed 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, than in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is shaken by terrible sights like a man running away from a battle.
7
At the moment of rescue he awakens, astonished that his fear was imaginary.
8
For all creatures, from men to animals-and seven times more for sinners-
9
there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.
10
All these were created for the godless, through them came the Flood.
11
All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, what comes from the water returns to the sea.
Various maxims
12
All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will stand for ever.
13
The wealth of wrong-doers will dry up like a torrent, will crash like a clap of thunder in a downpour.
14
When he opens his hands he rejoices, by the same token defaulters will come to utter ruin.
15
The offshoots of the godless will not have many branches, unclean roots only find hard rock.
16
The reeds by every lake and river’s edge will be pulled up before any other grass.
17
Graciousness is like a paradise of blessing, and generosity stands firm for ever.
Comparisons
18
For the man of private means and the man who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, he who finds a treasure.
19
Children and the building of a city make a man’s reputation; better than either, the discovery of wisdom. Cattle and vineyards make you well known; better valued 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 sweet 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, generosity to the rescue.
25
Gold and silver will steady your feet; better valued than either, good advice.
26
Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With the fear of the Lord a man lacks nothing; with that he need seek no ally.
27
The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, it clothes a man with more than glory.
On begging
28
My son, do not live by begging from others, better be dead than a beggar.
29
The life of a man ever eyeing the table of another cannot be reckoned as a life at all. He defiles his gullet with other people’s food; a man of culture and breeding will never do this.
30
Begging comes easily to the lips of the shameless man, but eventually it will set fire to his belly.
Chapters of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
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