Sirach 40

¹ A great anxiety has God allotted, and a heavy yoke, to the sons of men; From the day one leaves his mother's womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living,

² His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--

³ Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,

⁴ Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--

⁵ Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife. Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep.

⁶ So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day, Terrified by what his mind's eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued;

⁷ As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear.

⁸ So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.

⁹ Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death:

¹⁰ For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.

¹¹ All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.

¹² All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.

¹³ Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,

¹⁴ Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.

¹⁵ The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer rock;

¹⁶ Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;

¹⁷ But goodness will never be cut off, and justice endures forever. Wealth or wages can make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.

¹⁸ A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.

¹⁹ Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted wife;

²⁰ Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love.

²¹ The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either, a voice that is true.

²² Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field.

²³ A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.

²⁴ A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.

²⁵ Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.

²⁶ Wealth and vigor build up confidence, but better than either, fear of God. Fear of the LORD leaves nothing wanting; he who has it need seek no other support:

²⁷ The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.

²⁸ My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;

²⁹ When one has to look to another's table, his life is not really a life. His neighbor's delicacies bring revulsion of spirit to one who understands inward feelings:

³⁰ In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.