Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 40

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.

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.

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.

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.