Sirach 40

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
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 hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the daythey come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them al .
2 His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--	2 What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.
3 Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,	3 From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,
4 Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--	4 from the one who wears purple and a crown to the one dressed in sacking, al is fury and jealousy,turmoil and unrest, fear of death, rivalry, strife.
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 even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:
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 scarcely has he lain down to rest, when in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is troubled withnightmares, like one who has escaped from a battle,
7 As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear.	7 and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!
8 So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.	8 For al creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-
9 Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death:	9 there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.
10 For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.	10 These things were al created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.
11 All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.	11 Al that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.
12 All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.	12 Al bribery and injustice wil be blotted out, but good faith wil stand for ever.
13 Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,	13 Il -gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.
14 Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.	14 When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.
15 The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer rock;	15 The sprigs of the godless wil not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.
16 Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;	16 The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.
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 Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.
18 A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.	18 For a person of private means and one who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, one whofinds a treasure.
19 Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted wife;	19 Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.
20 Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love.	20 Wine and music cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.
21 The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either, a voice that is true.	21 Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.
22 Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field.	22 The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.
23 A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.	23 Friend or comrade -- it is always wel met; better than either, a wife and husband.
24 A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.	24 Brothers and al ies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.
25 Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.	25 Gold and silver wil steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.
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 Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With fear of theLord, nothing is lacking: no need to seek for other help.
27 The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.	27 Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.
28 My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;	28 My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.
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 A life spent in eyeing someone else's table cannot be accounted a life at al . Other people's fooddefiles the gul et; a wise, wel -brought-up person wil beware of doing this.
30 In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.	30 What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his bel y there burns a fire.