Sirach 40
40
Human Misery and Evil
1 #
Gn 2.7; 3.19. God plans for us humans
to work hard
from the day of our birth
until we are buried in the soil
from which we were made.#40.1 we are buried … made: One possible meaning for the difficult text.
2We don't understand life,
so we worry and dread the day
that it will end.
* 3And each of us is bothered
by troubling feelings—
from the king,
seated on his glorious throne
and wearing his crown
and royal robes,
* 4to the homeless in the street,
sitting in dirt and grime
and wearing worn-out clothes.
5We are angry, jealous,
or hateful;
or maybe we feel guilty
or are afraid of death.
Sometimes we are confused
by a dream,
6or lie awake
worrying about our work,
and so we get little rest.#40.6 or lie awake … rest: One possible meaning for the difficult text.
We see ourselves
running for our lives,
7and almost reaching safety,
then we wake up, amazed—
it was all a dream.
8The troubles that sinners have
will be seven times worse
than those of other people.
Any living creature
9can suffer a violent death
when there is war or fighting,
or they can die from disaster,
horrible disease, or famine.
10 #
Gn 6.5—7.23. But God created these troubles
to punish those who do wrong,
as when he sent the flood.
11 #
Gn 1.24; 2.7; 3.19. Animals and humans
were created from the soil,
and will return to it,
just as water
returns to the sea.
12What you gain by being honest
will last forever,
but wealth you get
by bribery and cheating
will disappear.
13It will dry up like a stream
in the summer heat,
or quickly fade, like thunder
from a passing storm.
14And while generous people
can celebrate success,
those who disobey God
will be failures.
15Their children will be like trees
growing out of a rocky cliff
and having rotten roots
and few branches.
16They are like the tall grass
that grows beside a stream—
when the stream runs dry,
the grass quickly withers.
17But those who show kindness,
especially to the poor,
are gardens that always bloom
with blessing after blessing.
What Is Good for People
18It is good to have a job
and earn your own money,
but it is even better
to discover hidden treasure.
19Having wisdom is better
than giving your name
to your children or to a city
that you have built.
Cattle and fruit trees
can bring you wealth,#40.19 to your children … wealth: Hebrew; the Greek does not have these words.
but a happy marriage#40.19 a happy marriage: Hebrew text; the Greek text has “a wife who has no faults.”
is better than riches.
20Wine and music bring happiness,
but if you love wisdom,
you will be even happier.
21A pleasant voice is sweeter
than the music
of flutes and harps.
22Our eyes like beauty
and graceful movement,
but most of all, we want to see
our fields becoming green
with sprouting wheat.
23Having friends and neighbors
is important,
but being married
is even better.
24Relatives and friends can help
when you are in trouble,
but the best help comes
from giving to the poor.
25Gold and silver
may give security,
but they don't compare
with good advice.
26Many trust wealth and power,
but if you obey the Lord,
he will give you
whatever you need
if you will just ask.
27If you obey the Lord,
he will protect you
and make your life a garden
where blessings grow.
Don't Be a Beggar
28You would be better off dead
than to be a beggar.
29If you have to beg for food,
your life isn't your own,
and you won't have
any respect for yourself.
If you are smart
and have learned anything,
you won't beg.
30No matter what beggars say,
they really are ashamed
of what they do.
Currently Selected:
Sirach 40: CEVDCI
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.