Sirach 40

1Great toil is allotted, and a heavy burden upon the children of man—from the day they come forth from their mother’s womb until the day they return to the mother of all.

2from the day he comes out from his mother's womb until the day he returns to the mother of all the living.

3from one seated on a lofty throne, to one returning to dust and ashes.

4from one with a small turban and a flowered crown, even to one wrapped in a garment of skin.

5Yet envy, anxiety, and fear, and the dread of death, bring contention in abundance; and at the time of his rest upon his bed, the sleep of night changes his misery.

6For a little while, like a moment, he is quiet in vain; then, from the terrors of his heart, he is shaken—like one fleeing from before a pursuer.

7Again he prepares for battle, and he wakes up, and there is no terror; then he finds rest.

8And with all flesh their anxiety is with them, and their wealth drives away their sleep.

9Pestilence and bloodshed, strife and the sword, devastation and ruin, calamity and death.

10For the wicked, evil was created, and because of them destruction will cease only when it is complete.

11Everything from the earth returns to the earth, and what is from above to what is above.

12Every gift and injustice will be wiped away, but faith will stand forever.

13From force to force, like a perennial wadi, and from a mighty channel, with a crash of sounds.

14At the opening of his hands they will rejoice, but the transgressors will suddenly come to an end forever.

15The offspring of violence will not go unpunished, for the root of the godless is on a jagged crag.

16Like brushwood on a streamside planting, before every rain they are dried up.

17Kindness will never be shaken, and righteousness will stand forever.

18Wine and strong drink sweeten life, but better than both is finding a treasure.

19Children and the building of a city establish a name, but better than both is a blameless wife.

20Wine and strong drink gladden the heart, but better than both is the love of lovers.

21Flute and harp make song sweet, but better than both is a pure tongue.

22Grace and beauty delight the eye, and better than both is the vegetation of the field.

23A companion and a friend conduct themselves for a time, but better than both is an intelligent wife.

24A brother and a companion are for a time of trouble, but righteousness delivers more than both.

25Gold and silver make the foot stand firm, but better than both is sound counsel.

26Wealth and strength lift up the heart, and the fear of God is beyond both. In the fear of God there is no lack, and there is no need to seek support along with it.

27The fear of God is like a garden of blessing, and it shelters more than any glory.

28My child, do not live the life of a beggar; it is better to die than to beg.

29A man who watches another’s table—his life is not to be counted as life; he defiles his appetite with another man’s delicacies, but a man who knows inward restraint will beware.

30For a shameless man, begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.