Sirach 40
40
Life’s joys and miseries
1Hard work was created
for every person,
and a heavy yoke lies upon
human beings,
from the day when they leave
their mother’s womb
until the day when they return
to the mother of all.
2Anxious expectation—the day of death—
fills their inner musings
and plants fear in their hearts.#40.2 Gk uncertain
3From the person who sits
upon a glorious throne
down to the person brought low
in dust and ashes,
4from the person who wears purple
and a crown
down to the person dressed
in rough linen—
5there exists anger, envy, confusion, unrest, fear of death,
fury, and conflict.
Even when they rest in bed,
nighttime dreams disturb their mind.
6They get little or no rest;
they even toil in their dreams,
just as they do in the day,
being troubled by images in their mind,
as one who escapes from war.
7They wake up at the most
desperate moment
and are astonished
that they were afraid for nothing.
8To all flesh, both human and animal,
but to sinners seven times more so,
9come death, blood, strife, sword,
catastrophes, famine, ruin,
and disease.#40.9 Gk scourge
10All these things were created
for the lawless,
and because of such people
the flood happened.
11Everything that’s from earth;
returns to the earth;
everything that’s from water
returns to the sea.#40.11 Heb what’s from above returns above
12All bribery and injustice
will be wiped out,
but good faith will last forever.
13The money of the unjust
will dry up like a river,
and it will crash like loud thunder
in a rainstorm.
14Generous people will rejoice,
but those who sin will ultimately fail.
15The offspring of the ungodly
won’t produce many branches,
and they are polluted roots
on sheer rock.
16A reed by any water or riverbank
will be pulled up before any grass.
17Kindness is like an orchard of blessings,
and an act of charity will last forever.
18Life will be sweet for the self-reliant
and the hardworking,
but better than both
is the person who finds a treasure.
19Children and building a city
establish one’s name,
but better than both
is a wife who is considered blameless.
20Wine and music make the heart glad,
but better than both
is the love of wisdom.#40.20 Heb friends
21A flute and a harp make sweet melodies,
but better than both is a pleasant voice.
22The eye will desire grace and beauty,
but better than both
are the first shoots of a crop.
23A friend and a companion encounter
each other at an opportune moment,
but better than both
is a woman with her husband.
24Relatives and help
in a time of distress are good,#40.24 Gk lacks are good.
but acts of charity
will rescue one better than both.
25Gold and silver make one stand firm,
but more highly esteemed than both
is good advice.
26Money and strength will lift up
one’s heart,
but fearing the Lord is better than both.
If you fear the Lord,
you’ll lack nothing;
if you have it,
there’s no reason to look for help.
27Fear of the Lord
is like an orchard of blessing,
and it covers a person
more fully than any glory.
28My child, don’t live the life of a beggar;
it’s better to die than to beg.
29When people look
to another person’s table,
their way of life
cannot be considered a life.
They pollute themselves
by eating someone else’s food,
but a person who is intelligent
and educated will guard
against that.
30In the mouth of the shameless,
begging is sweet,
but a fire will burn inside of them.
Currently Selected:
Sirach 40: CEB
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