Sirach 40

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 A great occupation was created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their departure from their mother’s womb, even 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 the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, 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 who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who 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 who wears hyacinth and bears a crown, even to him who is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, tumult, restlessness, and the fear of death, continual anger and contention.
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 changes 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 There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a 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 disturbed by a vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in a day of warfare. In the time of his salvation, he rose up and wondered that there was no fear.
8 For al creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-	8 This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great.
9 there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.	9 Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, 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 have been created because of iniquity, and it is due to iniquity that the great flood was made.
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, 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 iniquity will be wiped away, but faith shall stand forever.
13 Il -gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.	13 The substance of the unjust will dry up like a river, and will pass away with a noise like loud thunder in a rainstorm.
14 When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.	14 When he opens his hands, he will rejoice. So will transgressors pass away at the consummation.
15 The sprigs of the godless wil not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.	15 The descendents of the impious will not produce many branches, for they may be compared to dirty roots at the edge of a rock.
16 The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.	16 The weeds, which grow above every water and beside the banks of the river, will be uprooted before all the grass.
17 Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.	17 Grace is like a paradise of blessings, and mercy continues for eternity.
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 worker, when content with what is sufficient, will become sweet, and in it you will find a treasure.
19 Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.	19 Sons, and the building of a city, will establish a name, but an immaculate wife will be ranked above these things.
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 word is above them both.
22 The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.	22 Your eye desires elegance and beauty, but verdant fields are above these things.
23 Friend or comrade -- it is always wel met; better than either, a wife and husband.	23 A friend and a companion meet one another in time, 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 Brothers are a help in time of tribulation, but mercy will liberate, more so than they will.
25 Gold and silver wil steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.	25 Gold and silver provide a firm position for the feet, but well-spoken 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 Ability and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above these things.
27 Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.	27 There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and it has no need to ask for assistance.
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 blessings, 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 Son, in your lifetime you should not be indigent, for it is better to die than to be destitute.
30 What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his bel y there burns a fire.	30 The life of him who looks to another man’s table should not be thought of as a way of life. For he feeds his life with another man’s food.
	31 But a disciplined and well-taught man will take care of himself.
	32 Scarcity will seem sweet to the mouth of the imprudent, but a fire will burn in his belly.