Sirach 40

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 A great anxiety has God allotted, and a heavy yoke, to the sons of men; From the day one leaves his mother's womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living,	1 Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.
2 His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--	2 Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, [trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart;
3 Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,	3 From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
4 Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--	4 From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.
5 Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife. Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep.	5 Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.
6 So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day, Terrified by what his mind's eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued;	6 A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.
7 As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear.	7 When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.
8 So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.	8 [Such things happen] unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.
9 Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death:	9 Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
10 For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.	10 These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
11 All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.	11 All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.
12 All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.	12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.
13 Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,	13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
14 Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.	14 While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.
15 The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer rock;	15 The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
16 Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;	16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
17 But goodness will never be cut off, and justice endures forever. Wealth or wages can make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.	17 Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.
18 A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.	18 To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.
19 Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted wife;	19 Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.
20 Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love.	20 Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21 The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either, a voice that is true.	21 The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22 Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field.	22 Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.
23 A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.	23 A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.
24 A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.	24 Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.
25 Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.	25 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.
26 Wealth and vigor build up confidence, but better than either, fear of God. Fear of the LORD leaves nothing wanting; he who has it need seek no other support:	26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.
27 The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.	27 The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
28 My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;	28 My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die than to beg.
29 When one has to look to another's table, his life is not really a life. His neighbor's delicacies bring revulsion of spirit to one who understands inward feelings:	29 The life of him that dependeth on another man's table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men's meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.
30 In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.	30 Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.