Sirach 40

1 A great burden was created for every person, and a heavy yoke rests on Adam’s children from the day they leave their mother’s womb until the day they return to the mother of all. 2 Their thoughts about what lies ahead and the day of death trouble their minds and bring fear to their hearts, 3 from the one seated on a glorious throne to the one humbled in earth and ashes, 4 from the one wearing blue and a crown to the one clothed in rough linen: fury, jealousy, disturbance, turmoil, fear of death, anger, and strife. 5 At the time of rest on his bed, nighttime sleep changes his understanding. 6 He gets little or no rest. Afterward, in sleep, he is as troubled as a watchman by day, disturbed by a vision of his heart as though fleeing from battle. 7 At the moment of his need he wakes, and marvels that there was nothing to fear. 8 These things happen to all flesh, from human beings to cattle, and seven times more to sinners: 9 death, bloodshed, strife, sword, disasters, famine, ruin, and scourging. 10 All these were created for the lawless, and because of them the flood came.

11 Everything from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the waters returns to the sea. 12 Every bribe and wrongdoing will be erased, but faithfulness will stand forever. 13 The wealth of the unrighteous will dry up like a river and fade like the roar of great thunder in a rainstorm. 14 When he opens his hands, he rejoices, but lawbreakers will vanish at the end. 15 The descendants of the ungodly will not multiply branches; they are unclean roots on sheer rock. 16 Reeds beside every body of water and riverbank are pulled up before any other grass. 17 Favor is like a garden of blessings, and acts of mercy endure forever.

18 The life of the self-sufficient person and of the worker will be sweet, but whoever finds a treasure is above them both. 19 Children and the building of a city establish a person’s name, but a blameless wife is counted above them both. 20 Wine and music make the heart glad, but the love of wisdom is above them both. 21 The flute and harp make sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both. 22 The eye desires favor and beauty, but green fields more than either. 23 A friend and companion meet at the right time, but a wife with her husband is above them both. 24 Brothers and help are valuable in a time of distress, but acts of mercy rescue more than either. 25 Gold and silver make the foot stand firm, but sound counsel is valued above them both. 26 Wealth and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above them both. Nothing is lacking in the fear of the Lord, and no other help needs to be sought within it. 27 The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing and covers a person with more than all glory.

28 My child, do not live a beggar’s life; it is better to die than to beg. 29 The life of someone who looks to another person’s table is not counted as life. He defiles his soul with another person’s food, but a knowledgeable and instructed man will guard himself. 30 Begging tastes sweet in the mouth of the shameless, but a fire will burn in his belly.