Sirach 40

NEW JERUSALEM	DIODATI
1 A hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the daythey come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them al .
2 What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.
3 From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,
4 from the one who wears purple and a crown to the one dressed in sacking, al is fury and jealousy,turmoil and unrest, fear of death, rivalry, strife.
5 And even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:
6 scarcely has he lain down to rest, when in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is troubled withnightmares, like one who has escaped from a battle,
7 and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!
8 For al creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-
9 there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.
10 These things were al created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.
11 Al that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.
12 Al bribery and injustice wil be blotted out, but good faith wil stand for ever.
13 Il -gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.
14 When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.
15 The sprigs of the godless wil not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.
16 The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.
17 Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.
18 For a person of private means and one who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, one whofinds a treasure.
19 Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.
20 Wine and music cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.
21 Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.
22 The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.
23 Friend or comrade -- it is always wel met; better than either, a wife and husband.
24 Brothers and al ies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.
25 Gold and silver wil steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.
26 Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With fear of theLord, nothing is lacking: no need to seek for other help.
27 Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.
28 My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.
29 A life spent in eyeing someone else's table cannot be accounted a life at al . Other people's fooddefiles the gul et; a wise, wel -brought-up person wil beware of doing this.
30 What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his bel y there burns a fire.