Sirach 41

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 O death, how bitter it is to remember you for someone peaceful y living with his possessions, forsomeone with no worries and everything going wel and who can still enjoy his food!	1 O death, how bitter is the memory of you: to a man who has peace in his substance,
2 O death, your sentence is welcome to one in want, whose strength is failing, to one worn out with ageand a thousand worries, resentful and impatient!	2 to a quiet man, and to him whose ways are directed properly in all things, and who still has the strength to take nourishment.
3 Do not dread death's sentence; remember those who came before you and those who wil come after.	3 O death, your judgment is good to the indigent man, and to him whose strength has diminished,
4 This is the sentence passed on al living creatures by the Lord, so why object to what seems good tothe Most High? Whether your life lasts ten or a hundred or a thousand years, its length wil not be held againstyou in Sheol.	4 who is failing due to old age, and who is anxious about all things, and to the unbelieving man who has lost patience.
5 Hateful brats, such are the children of sinners, who foregather in the haunts of the godless.	5 Do not choose to dread the judgment of death. Remember the things that occurred before you, and the things that will occur after you. This judgment is from the Lord upon all flesh.
6 The inheritance of sinners' children is doomed to perish, their posterity wil endure lasting reproach.	6 And what will happen to you is well-pleasing to the Most High, whether in ten, or one hundred, or one thousand years.
7 A godless father wil be blamed by his children for the reproach he has brought on them.	7 For death is no indictment of life.
8 A bad outlook for you, godless people, who have forsaken the Law of God Most High.	8 The sons of sinners, and those who pass their time in the manner of the houses of the impious, become sons of abominations.
9 When you were born, you were born to be accursed, and when you die, that curse wil be your portion.	9 The inheritance of the sons of sinners will perish, and continual disgrace will be with their offspring.
10 Al that comes from the earth returns to the earth, so too the wicked proceed from curse to destruction.	10 The sons of an impious father will complain, for they are in disgrace because of him.
11 Mourning concerns only the bodies of the dead, but the worthless name of sinners wil be blotted out.	11 Woe to you, impious men, who have abandoned the law of the Most High Lord!
12 Be careful of your reputation, for it wil last you longer than a thousand great hoards of gold.	12 And when you are born, you will be born into a curse; and when you die, your portion will be in a curse.
13 A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts for ever.	13 All things that are from the earth shall return to the earth. Similarly, the impious will proceed from a curse unto perdition.
14 Keep my instructions and be at peace, my children. Wisdom hidden away and treasure undisplayed,what use is either of these?	14 The grieving of men is in their body, but the name of the impious will be wiped away.
15 Better someone who hides his fol y than one who hides his wisdom.	15 Have concern for your good name. For this will continue with you, more so than a thousand precious and great treasures.
16 Preserve a sense of shame in the fol owing matters, for not every kind of shame is right to harbour,nor is every situation correctly appraised by al .	16 A good life has its number of days, but a good name will continue forever.
17 Be ashamed, before father and mother, of depraved behaviour, and before prince or potentate oftel ing lies;	17 Sons, practice discipline peacefully. For what use is there in either concealed wisdom, or undiscovered treasure?
18 of wrong-doing before judge or magistrate, and of impiety before the assembly of the people;	18 Better is the man who hides his foolishness than the man who hides his wisdom.
19 of sharp practice before your companion and your friend, and of theft before the neighbourhood youlive in.	19 Yet truly, have respect for these things which proceed from my mouth.
20 Before the truth and covenant of God, be ashamed of leaning elbows on the table,	20 For it is not good to observe every reverence. And all things do not please all persons in their beliefs.
21 of being ungracious when giving or receiving, of ignoring those who greet you,	21 Have shame of these things: of fornication before father and mother, and of a lie before the first leader and the powerful,
22 of gazing at a loose woman, of repulsing your fellow-countryman,	22 of a crime before a ruler or a judge, of iniquity before a congregation or a people,
23 of misappropriating another's portion or gift, of paying court to another man's wife,	23 of injustice before a companion or a friend, and of the place in which you live,
24 of making advances to his servant-girl -- do not go near her bed-	24 of theft, and of the truth before God, and of the covenant, of reclining to eat bread, and of deceitfulness in giving or receiving,
25 of saying disagreeable things to friends -- do not fol ow up a gift with a taunt-	25 of silence before those who greet you, of looking upon a woman of fornication, and of averting your face from a relative.
26 of repeating everything you hear and of betraying confidences.	26 You should not avert your face from your neighbor, nor should you take away a portion and not restore it.
27 Then you wil know what true shame is, and you wil find yourself in everyone's graces.	27 You should not stare at another man’s wife, and nor pursue his handmaid, nor approach her bed.
	28 Avoid reproachful speeches before friends, and when you give, you should not place blame.