Sirach 41

Sirach 41

Concerning Death

1O death, how bitter is the thought of you[#Eccl 11.7, 8]

to the one at peace among possessions,

who has nothing to worry about and is prosperous in everything

and still is vigorous enough to enjoy pleasure!

2O death, how welcome is your sentence[#Ps 90.10; Sir 2.14; 30.17]

to one who is needy and failing in strength,

worn down by age and anxious about everything,

to one who is contrary and has lost all patience!

3Do not fear death’s decree for you;[#Rom 5.12]

remember those who went before you and those who will come after.

4This is the Lord’s decree for all flesh;

why, then, should you reject the will of the Most High?

Whether life lasts for ten years or a hundred or a thousand,

there are no questions asked in Hades.

The Fate of the Wicked

5The children of sinners are abominable children,

and they frequent the haunts of the ungodly.

6The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish,[#Deut 28.18; Ps 21.10]

and on their offspring will be a perpetual disgrace.

7Children will blame an ungodly father,

for they suffer disgrace because of him.

8Woe to you, the ungodly,

who have forsaken the law of the Most High!

9You will beget them only for groaning.[#Job 20.28, 29; #41.9 Other ancient authorities read If you have children, calamity will be theirs; you]

When you stumble, there is lasting joy,

and when you die, a curse is your lot.

10Whatever comes from earth returns to earth,[#Gen 3.19; Sir 40.11]

so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.

11The breath of humans is in their bodies,[#Ps 9.5; 109.13; #41.11 Heb: Gk misery]

but a virtuous name will never be blotted out.

12Have regard for your name, since it will outlive you[#Prov 22.1; Eccl 7.1]

longer than a thousand hoards of gold.

13The days of a good life are numbered,[#Ps 112.6; Prov 10.7]

but a good name lasts forever.

14My children, be true to your training and be at peace;[#Sir 20.30]

hidden wisdom and unseen treasure—

of what value is either?

A Series of Contrasts

15Better are those who hide their folly[#Sir 20.31]

than those who hide their wisdom.

16Therefore show respect for my words,[#Sir 4.20, 21; 42.1]

for it is not good to feel shame in every circumstance,

nor is every kind of shaming to be approved.

17Be ashamed of sexual immorality before your father or mother

and of a lie before a prince or a ruler,

18of a crime before a judge or magistrate

and of a breach of the law before the congregation and the people,

of unjust dealing before your partner or your friend

19and of theft in the place where you live.[#Sir 42.2]

Be ashamed of breaking an oath or agreement

and of leaning on your elbow at meals,

of surliness in receiving or giving

20and of silence before those who greet you,

of looking at a prostitute

21and of rejecting the appeal of a relative,[#Isa 58.7; Sir 9.9; Mt 5.28]

of taking away someone’s portion or gift

and of gazing at another man’s wife,

22of meddling with his female servant—[#Sir 18.15]

and do not approach her bed;

of abusive words, before friends—

and do not be insulting after making a gift.

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