Sirach 40

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 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 His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--	2 their thoughts, and the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, and the day of their end,
3 Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,	3 from him who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,
4 Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--	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 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 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changes 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 There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a day of keeping watch.
7 As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to 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 So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.	8 This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great.
9 Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death:	9 Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, famine, and affliction, and scourges.
10 For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.	10 All these things have been created because of iniquity, and it is due to iniquity that the great flood was made.
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 return to the earth, and all waters shall return to the sea.
12 All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.	12 All bribery and iniquity will be wiped away, but faith shall stand forever.
13 Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,	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 Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.	14 When he opens his hands, he will rejoice. So will transgressors pass away at the consummation.
15 The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer 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 Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;	16 The weeds, which grow above every water and beside the banks of the river, will be uprooted before all the 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 Grace is like a paradise of blessings, and mercy continues for eternity.
18 A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.	18 The life of a worker, when content with what is sufficient, will become sweet, and in it you will find a treasure.
19 Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted 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 delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love.	20 Wine and music 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 flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant word is above them both.
22 Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field.	22 Your eye desires elegance and beauty, but verdant fields are above these things.
23 A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.	23 A friend and a companion meet one another in time, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
24 A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.	24 Brothers are a help in time of tribulation, but mercy will liberate, more so than they will.
25 Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.	25 Gold and silver provide a firm position for the feet, but well-spoken counsel is 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 Ability and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above these things.
27 The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.	27 There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and it has no need to ask for assistance.
28 My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;	28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessings, and they have covered it above all glory.
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 Son, in your lifetime you should not be indigent, for it is better to die than to be destitute.
30 In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like 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.