Sirach 41
1 O death, how bitter is the
remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the
man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea,
unto him that is yet able to receive meat!
2 O death, acceptable is thy sentence
unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last
age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost
patience! 3 Fear not the sentence of
death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this
is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.
4 And why art thou against the
pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou
have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.
5 The children of sinners are
abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the
ungodly. 6 The inheritance of sinners'
children shall perish, and from their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
7 The children will complain of an
ungodly father, because they will be reproached for his sake.
8 Who be unto you, ungodly men, which
have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to
your destruction: 9 and if ye be born,
ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
10 All that are of the earth shall
turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.
11 The mourning of men is about their
bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.
12 Have regard to thy name; for that
shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.
13 A good life hath but few days: but
a good name endureth for ever.
14 My children, keep discipline in
peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is
in them both? 15 A man that hideth
his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.
16 Therefore be shamefaced according
to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it
altogether approved in every thing.
17 Be ashamed of whoredom before
father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
18 of an offence before a judge and
ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before
thy partner and friend; 19 and of
theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth
of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of
scorning to give and take; 20 and of
silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;
21 and to turn away thy face from thy
kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man's
wife; 22 or to be overbusy with his
maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and
after thou hast given, upbraid not;
23 Or of iterating and speaking again
that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets;
24 so shalt thou be truly shamefaced,
and find favour before all men.