Sirach 41

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!	1 O death, how bitter is the memory of you: to a man who has peace in his substance,
2 O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!	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 Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.	3 O death, your judgment is good to the indigent man, and to him whose strength has diminished,
4 And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.	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 The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.	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 shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual 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 The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.	7 For death is no indictment of life.
8 Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:	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 And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.	9 The inheritance of the sons of sinners will perish, and continual disgrace will be with their offspring.
10 All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.	10 The sons of an impious father will complain, for they are in disgrace because of him.
11 The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.	11 Woe to you, impious men, who have abandoned the law of the Most High Lord!
12 Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures 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 hath but few days: but a good name endureth 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 My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?	14 The grieving of men is in their body, but the name of the impious will be wiped away.
15 A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth 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 Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing.	16 A good life has its number of days, but a good name will continue forever.
17 Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;	17 Sons, practice discipline peacefully. For what use is there in either concealed wisdom, or undiscovered treasure?
18 Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;	18 Better is the man who hides his foolishness than the man who hides his wisdom.
19 And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take;	19 Yet truly, have respect for these things which proceed from my mouth.
20 And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;	20 For it is not good to observe every reverence. And all things do not please all persons in their beliefs.
21 And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man's wife.	21 Have shame of these things: of fornication before father and mother, and of a lie before the first leader and the powerful,
22 Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;	22 of a crime before a ruler or a judge, of iniquity before a congregation or a people,
	23 of injustice before a companion or a friend, and of the place in which you live,
	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 silence before those who greet you, of looking upon a woman of fornication, and of averting your face from a relative.
	26 You should not avert your face from your neighbor, nor should you take away a portion and not restore it.
	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.