Sirach 41

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
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!	1 O death, how bitter it is to remember you for someone peaceful y living with his possessions, forsomeone with no worries and everything going wel and who can still enjoy his food!
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!	2 O death, your sentence is welcome to one in want, whose strength is failing, to one worn out with ageand a thousand worries, resentful and impatient!
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.	3 Do not dread death's sentence; remember those who came before you and those who wil come after.
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.	4 This is the sentence passed on al living creatures by the Lord, so why object to what seems good tothe Most High? Whether your life lasts ten or a hundred or a thousand years, its length wil not be held againstyou in Sheol.
5 The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.	5 Hateful brats, such are the children of sinners, who foregather in the haunts of the godless.
6 The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.	6 The inheritance of sinners' children is doomed to perish, their posterity wil endure lasting reproach.
7 The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.	7 A godless father wil be blamed by his children for the reproach he has brought on them.
8 Woe 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:	8 A bad outlook for you, godless people, who have forsaken the Law of God Most High.
9 And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.	9 When you were born, you were born to be accursed, and when you die, that curse wil 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.	10 Al that comes from the earth returns to the earth, so too the wicked proceed from curse to destruction.
11 The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.	11 Mourning concerns only the bodies of the dead, but the worthless name of sinners wil be blotted out.
12 Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.	12 Be careful of your reputation, for it wil last you longer than a thousand great hoards of gold.
13 A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.	13 A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts 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?	14 Keep my instructions and be at peace, my children. Wisdom hidden away and treasure undisplayed,what use is either of these?
15 A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.	15 Better someone who hides his fol y than one who hides 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.	16 Preserve a sense of shame in the fol owing matters, for not every kind of shame is right to harbour,nor is every situation correctly appraised by al .
17 Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;	17 Be ashamed, before father and mother, of depraved behaviour, and before prince or potentate oftel ing lies;
18 Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;	18 of wrong-doing before judge or magistrate, and of impiety before the assembly of the people;
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;	19 of sharp practice before your companion and your friend, and of theft before the neighbourhood youlive in.
20 And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;	20 Before the truth and covenant of God, be ashamed of leaning elbows on the table,
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.	21 of being ungracious when giving or receiving, of ignoring those who greet you,
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;	22 of gazing at a loose woman, of repulsing your fellow-countryman,
	23 of misappropriating another's portion or gift, of paying court to another man's wife,
	24 of making advances to his servant-girl -- do not go near her bed-
	25 of saying disagreeable things to friends -- do not fol ow up a gift with a taunt-
	26 of repeating everything you hear and of betraying confidences.
	27 Then you wil know what true shame is, and you wil find yourself in everyone's graces.