Sirach 41

KING JAMES BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
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 is the reminder of you to one who lives at peace among his possessions, to a man without distractions, who is prosperous in everything, and who still has the vigor to 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, how welcome is your sentence to one who is in need and is failing in strength, very old and distracted over everything; to one who is contrary, and has lost his 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.	3 Do not fear the sentence of death; remember your former days and the end of life; this is the decree from the Lord for 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.	4 and how can you reject the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life is for ten or a hundred or a thousand years, there is no inquiry about it in Hades.
5 The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.	5 The children of sinners are abominable children, and they frequent the haunts of the ungodly.
6 The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.	6 The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and on their posterity will be a perpetual reproach.
7 The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.	7 Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer reproach because of him.
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 Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
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 are born, you are born to a curse; and when you die, a curse is your lot.
10 All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.	10 Whatever is from the dust returns to dust; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
11 The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.	11 The mourning of men is about their bodies, but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
12 Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.	12 Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a thousand great stores of gold.
13 A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.	13 The days of a good life are numbered, but a good name endures 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 My children, observe instruction and be at peace; hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, what advantage is there in either of them?
15 A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.	15 Better is the man who hides his folly than the man 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 Therefore show respect for my words: For it is good to retain every kind of shame, and not everything is confidently esteemed by every one.
17 Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;	17 Be ashamed of immorality, before your father or mother; and of a lie, before a prince or a ruler;
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 a transgression, before a judge or magistrate; and of iniquity, before a congregation or the people; of unjust dealing, before your partner or 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;	19 and of theft, in the place where you live. Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of selfish behavior at meals, of surliness in receiving and giving,
20 And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;	20 and of silence, before those who greet you; of looking at a woman who is a 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.	21 and of rejecting the appeal of a kinsman; of taking away some one's portion or gift, and of gazing at 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;	22 of meddling with his maidservant-- and do not approach her bed; of abusive words, before friends-- and do not upbraid after making a gift;
	23 of repeating and telling what you hear, and of revealing secrets. Then you will show proper shame, and will find favor with every man.