The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 40

1 Great travail is created for every man, And a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam , From the day of their coming forth from their mother’s womb, Until the day for their burial in the mother of all things.

2 The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, Trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart;

3 From him that sits on a throne of glory, Even to him that is humbled in earth and ashes;

4 From him that wears purple and a crown, Even to him that is clothed with a hempen frock.

5 There is wrath, and jealousy, and trouble, and disquiet, And fear of death, and anger, and strife; And in the time of rest upon his bed His night sleep does change his knowledge.

6 A little or nothing is his resting, And afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, He is troubled in the vision of his heart, As one that has escaped from the front of battle.

7 In the very time of his deliverance he awakens, And marvels that the fear is nothing.

8 It is thus with all flesh, from man to beast, And upon sinners sevenfold more.

9 Death, and bloodshed, and strife, and sword, Calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;

10 All these things were created for the wicked, And because of them came the flood.

11 All things that are of the earth turn to the earth again: And all things that are of the waters return into the sea.

12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out; And good faith shall stand for ever.

13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, And like a great thunder in rain shall go off in noise.

14 In opening his hands a man shall be made glad: So shall transgressors utterly fail.

15 The children of the ungodly shall not put forth many branches; And are as unclean roots upon a sheer rock.

16 The sedge that grows upon every water and bank of a river Shall be plucked up before all grass.

17 Bounty is as a garden of blessings, And almsgiving endures for ever.

18 The life of one that labores, and is contented, shall be made sweet; And he that finds a treasure is above both.

19 Children and the building of a city establish a man’s name; And a blameless wife is counted above both.

20 Wine and music rejoice the heart; And the love of wisdom is above both.

21 The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody; And a pleasant tongue is above both.

22 Your eye shall desire grace and beauty; And above both the green blade of corn.

23 A friend and a companion never meet amiss; And a wife with her husband is above both.

24 Brethren and succour are for a time of affliction; And almsgiving is a deliverer above both.

25 Gold and silver will make the foot stand sure; And counsel is esteemed above them both.

26 Riches and strength will lift up the heart; And the fear of the Lord is above both: There is nothing lacking in the fear of the Lord, And there is no need to seek help therein.

27 The fear of the Lord is as a garden of blessing, And covers a man above all glory.

28 My son, lead not a beggar’s life; Better it is to die than to beg.

29 A man that looks to the table of another, His life is not to be counted for a life; He will pollute his soul with another man’s meats: But a man wise and well-instructed will beware thereof.

30 In the mouth of the shameless begging will be sweet; And in his belly a fire shall be kindled.