Sirach 40

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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.	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 Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:	2 their thoughts, and the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, and the day of their end,
3 From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes:	3 from him who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,
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,	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 in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.	5 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changes his knowledge.
6 A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.	6 There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a day of keeping watch.
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:	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 Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold mere.	8 This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great.
9 Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:	9 Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, famine, and affliction, and scourges.
10 All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.	10 All these things have been created because of iniquity, and it is due to iniquity that the great flood was made.
11 All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return 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 All bribery, and injustice shall blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.	12 All bribery and iniquity will be wiped away, but faith shall stand forever.
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.	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 While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.	14 When he opens his hands, he will rejoice. So will transgressors pass away at the consummation.
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.	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 weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.	16 The weeds, which grow above every water and beside the banks of the river, will be uprooted before all the grass.
17 Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.	17 Grace is like a paradise of blessings, and mercy continues for eternity.
18 The life of a labourer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find 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 building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.	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 rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.	20 Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.	21 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant word is above them both.
22 Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.	22 Your eye desires elegance and beauty, but verdant fields are above these things.
23 A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.	23 A friend and a companion meet one another in time, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
24 Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.	24 Brothers are a help in time of tribulation, but mercy will liberate, more so than they will.
25 Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.	25 Gold and silver provide a firm position for the feet, but well-spoken counsel is above them both.
26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.	26 Ability and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above these things.
27 There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.	27 There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and it has no need to ask for assistance.
28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.	28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessings, and they have covered it above all glory.
29 My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.	29 Son, in your lifetime you should not be indigent, for it is better to die than to be destitute.
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.	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 man, well instructed and taught, will look to himself.	31 But a disciplined and well-taught man will take care of himself.
32 Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly there shall burn a fire.	32 Scarcity will seem sweet to the mouth of the imprudent, but a fire will burn in his belly.