Sirach 40

1Great 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.

2Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:

3From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes:

4From 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,

5And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.

6A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.

7He 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:

8Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold mere.

9Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:

10All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.

11All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.

12All bribery, and injustice shall blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.

13The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass sway a noise like a great thunder in rain.

14While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.

15The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.

16The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.

17Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.

18The life of a labourer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.

19Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.

20Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.

21The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.

22Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.

23A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.

24Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.

25Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.

26Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.

27There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.

28The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.

29My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.

30The 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.

31But a man, well instructed and taught, will look to himself.

32Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly there shall burn a fire.

1[Occupatio magna creata est omnibus hominibus, et jugum grave super filios Adam, a die exitus de ventre matris eorum usque in diem sepulturæ in matrem omnium.

2Cogitationes eorum, et timores cordis, adinventio exspectationis, et dies finitionis,

3a residente super sedem gloriosam, usque ad humiliatum in terra et cinere:

4ab eo qui utitur hyacintho et portat coronam, usque ad eum qui operitur lino crudo: furor, zelus, tumultus, fluctuatio, et timor mortis, iracundia perseverans, et contentio:

5et in tempore refectionis in cubili, somnus noctis immutat scientiam ejus.

6Modicum tamquam nihil in requie, et ab eo in somnis, quasi in die respectus.

7Conturbatus est in visu cordis sui, tamquam qui evaserit in die belli: in tempore salutis suæ exsurrexit, et admirans ad nullum timorem:

8cum omni carne, ab homine usque ad pecus, et super peccatores septuplum.

9Ad hæc mors, sanguis, contentio, et rhomphæa, oppressiones, fames, et contritio, et flagella:

10super iniquos creata sunt hæc omnia: et propter illos factus est cataclysmus.]

11[Omnia quæ de terra sunt in terram convertentur, et omnes aquæ in mare revertentur.

12Omne munus et iniquitas delebitur, et fides in sæculum stabit.

13Substantiæ injustorum sicut fluvius siccabuntur, et sicut tonitruum magnum in pluvia personabunt.

14In aperiendo manus suas lætabitur: sic prævaricatores in consummatione tabescent.

15Nepotes impiorum non multiplicabunt ramos: et radices immundæ super cacumen petræ sonant.

16Super omnem aquam viriditas, et ad oram fluminis ante omne fœnum evelletur.]

17[Gratia sicut paradisus in benedictionibus, et misericordia in sæculum permanet.

18Vita sibi sufficientis operarii condulcabitur, et in ea invenies thesaurum.

19Filii et ædificatio civitatis confirmabit nomen: et super hæc mulier immaculata computabitur.

20Vinum et musica lætificant cor: et super utraque dilectio sapientiæ.

21Tibiæ et psalterium suavem faciunt melodiam: et super utraque lingua suavis.

22Gratiam et speciem desiderabit oculus tuus: et super hæc virides sationes.

23Amicus et sodalis in tempore convenientes, et super utrosque mulier cum viro.

24Fratres in adjutorium in tempore tribulationis: et super eos misericordia liberabit.

25Aurum et argentum est constitutio pedum: et super utrumque consilium beneplacitum.

26Facultates et virtutes exaltant cor, et super hæc timor Domini.

27Non est in timore Domini minoratio: et non est in eo inquirere adjutorium.

28Timor Domini sicut paradisus benedictionis, et super omnem gloriam operuerunt illum.]

29[Fili, in tempore vitæ tuæ ne indigeas: melius est enim mori quam indigere.

30Vir respiciens in mensam alienam, non est vita ejus in cogitatione victus: alit enim animam suam cibis alienis:

31vir autem disciplinatus et eruditus custodiet se.

32In ore imprudentis condulcabitur inopia, et in ventre ejus ignis ardebit.]

1A 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:

2their thoughts, and the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, and the day of their end,

3from him who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,

4from 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.

5And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changes his knowledge.

6There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a day of keeping watch.

7He 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.

8This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great.

9Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, famine, and affliction, and scourges.

10All these things have been created because of iniquity, and it is due to iniquity that the great flood was made.

11All things that are of the earth shall return to the earth, and all waters shall return to the sea.

12All bribery and iniquity will be wiped away, but faith shall stand forever.

13The substance of the unjust will dry up like a river, and will pass away with a noise like loud thunder in a rainstorm.

14When he opens his hands, he will rejoice. So will transgressors pass away at the consummation.

15The descendants of the impious will not produce many branches, for they may be compared to dirty roots at the edge of a rock.

16The weeds, which grow above every water and beside the banks of the river, will be uprooted before all the grass.

17Grace is like a paradise of blessings, and mercy continues for eternity.

18The life of a worker, when content with what is sufficient, will become sweet, and in it you will find a treasure.

19Sons, and the building of a city, will establish a name, but an immaculate wife will be ranked above these things.

20Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.

21The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant word is above them both.

22Your eye desires elegance and beauty, but verdant fields are above these things.

23A friend and a companion meet one another in time, but above them both is a wife with her husband.

24Brothers are a help in time of tribulation, but mercy will liberate, more so than they will.

25Gold and silver provide a firm position for the feet, but well-spoken counsel is above them both.

26Ability and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above these things.

27There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and it has no need to ask for assistance.

28The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessings, and they have covered it above all glory.

29Son, in your lifetime you should not be indigent, for it is better to die than to be destitute.

30The 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.

31But a disciplined and well-taught man will take care of himself.

32Scarcity will seem sweet to the mouth of the imprudent, but a fire will burn in his belly.