Sirach

¹A great occupation was created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their departure from their mother’s womb, even until the day of their burial into the mother of all: ↗

²their thoughts, and the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, and the day of their end, ↗

³from him who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes, ↗

⁴from him who wears hyacinth and bears a crown, even to him who is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, tumult, restlessness, and the fear of death, continual anger and contention. ↗

⁵And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changes his knowledge. ↗

⁶There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a day of keeping watch. ↗

⁷He is disturbed by a vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in a day of warfare. In the time of his salvation, he rose up and wondered that there was no fear. ↗

⁸This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great. ↗

⁹Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, famine, and affliction, and scourges. ↗

¹⁰All these things have been created because of iniquity, and it is due to iniquity that the great flood was made. ↗

¹¹All things that are of the earth shall return to the earth, and all waters shall return to the sea. ↗

¹²All bribery and iniquity will be wiped away, but faith shall stand forever. ↗

¹³The substance of the unjust will dry up like a river, and will pass away with a noise like loud thunder in a rainstorm. ↗

¹⁴When he opens his hands, he will rejoice. So will transgressors pass away at the consummation. ↗

¹⁵The descendants of the impious will not produce many branches, for they may be compared to dirty roots at the edge of a rock. ↗

¹⁶The weeds, which grow above every water and beside the banks of the river, will be uprooted before all the grass. ↗

¹⁷Grace is like a paradise of blessings, and mercy continues for eternity. ↗

¹⁸The life of a worker, when content with what is sufficient, will become sweet, and in it you will find a treasure. ↗

¹⁹Sons, and the building of a city, will establish a name, but an immaculate wife will be ranked above these things. ↗

²⁰Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both. ↗

²¹The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant word is above them both. ↗

²²Your eye desires elegance and beauty, but verdant fields are above these things. ↗

²³A friend and a companion meet one another in time, but above them both is a wife with her husband. ↗

²⁴Brothers are a help in time of tribulation, but mercy will liberate, more so than they will. ↗

²⁵Gold and silver provide a firm position for the feet, but well-spoken counsel is above them both. ↗

²⁶Ability and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above these things. ↗

²⁷There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and it has no need to ask for assistance. ↗

²⁸The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessings, and they have covered it above all glory. ↗

²⁹Son, in your lifetime you should not be indigent, for it is better to die than to be destitute. ↗

³⁰The life of him who looks to another man’s table should not be thought of as a way of life. For he feeds his life with another man’s food. ↗

³¹But a disciplined and well-taught man will take care of himself. ↗

³²Scarcity will seem sweet to the mouth of the imprudent, but a fire will burn in his belly. ↗