Sirach 40

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
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 .	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 What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.	2 Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:
3 From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,	3 From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth 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.	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 And even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:	5 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.
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,	6 A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.
7 and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!	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 For al creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-	8 Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold mere.
9 there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.	9 Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:
10 These things were al created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.	10 All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
11 Al that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.	11 All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.
12 Al bribery and injustice wil be blotted out, but good faith wil stand for ever.	12 All bribery, and injustice shall blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.
13 Il -gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.	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 When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.	14 While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.
15 The sprigs of the godless wil not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard 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 The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.	16 The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.
17 Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.	17 Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth 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.	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 Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect 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 cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.	20 Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21 Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.	21 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22 The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.	22 Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.
23 Friend or comrade -- it is always wel met; better than either, a wife and husband.	23 A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
24 Brothers and al ies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.	24 Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.
25 Gold and silver wil steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.	25 Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.
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.	26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.
27 Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.	27 There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.
28 My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.	28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.
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.	29 My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.
30 What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his bel y there burns a 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.