Sirach 40

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
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,	1 Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam, from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
2 His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--	2 Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:
3 Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,	3 From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes:
4 Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--	4 From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife,
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.	5 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.
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;	6 A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.
7 As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear.	7 He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear:
8 So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.	8 Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold mere.
9 Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death:	9 Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:
10 For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.	10 All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
11 All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.	11 All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.
12 All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.	12 All bribery, and injustice shall blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.
13 Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,	13 The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass sway a noise like a great thunder in rain.
14 Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.	14 While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.
15 The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer rock;	15 The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.
16 Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;	16 The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.
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.	17 Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.
18 A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.	18 The life of a labourer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.
19 Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted wife;	19 Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
20 Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love.	20 Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21 The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either, a voice that is true.	21 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22 Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field.	22 Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.
23 A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.	23 A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
24 A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.	24 Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.
25 Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.	25 Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.
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:	26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.
27 The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.	27 There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.
28 My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;	28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.
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:	29 My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.
30 In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.	30 The life of him that looketh toward another man's table is not to be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man's meat.
	31 But a man, well instructed and taught, will look to himself.
	32 Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly there shall burn a fire.