Dealing with Death
Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 1. O death, how bitter is the memory of you To a man at peace with his possessions, To a man without distractions and prosperous in everything, And still strong enough to enjoy his food. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 2. O death, your judgment is good To the man in need and failing in strength In his extreme old age, distracted by everything, And stubborn and short on patience. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 3. Do not fear the judgment of death; Remember those before you and after you. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 4. This is the judgment from the Lord to all flesh, And how can you reject the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether you lived ten or a hundred or a thousand years, There is in Hades no inquiry into your life. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 5. The children of sinners are loathsome children, And they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 6. The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, And with their seed the disgrace will continue. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 7. The children will blame their godless father, For because of him they will be denounced. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 8. Woe to you, the ungodly men Who forsook the law of God Most High. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 9. And when you are born, you will be born to a curse, And when you die, your portion will be a curse. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 10. Whatever is from the earth shall return to the earth, So the ungodly go from a curse to destruction. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 11. The mourning of men is about their bodies, But the evil name of sinners will be blotted out. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 12. Have regard for your name, For it will remain with you longer Than a thousand great chests of gold. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 13. The days of a good life are numbered, But a good name will remain forever. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 14. Observe instruction and live in peace, my children, But hidden wisdom and invisible treasure— What benefit are these? Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 15. A man who hides his foolishness Is better than a man who hides his wisdom.
Shame, Proper and Improper
Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 16. Therefore, be ashamed on the basis of my word, For it is not good to protect every kind of shame, And not everything is highly esteemed by all with confidence. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 17. Be ashamed of fornication before father or mother; Of a lie before your leader or ruler; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 18. Of an offense before a judge or ruler; Of lawlessness before the assembly of the people; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 19. Of wrongdoing before your partner or friend; Of theft in the place where you dwell. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 20. Be ashamed before the truth of God and His covenant, And of bad manners at the table; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 21. Of contemptuous behavior in receiving and giving; Of silence before those who greet you; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 22. Of looking at a prostitute; Of rejecting the appeal of a kinsman; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 23. Of carrying off someone's portion or gift, And of staring at another man's wife; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 24. Of meddling with his maidservant— And do not come near her bed. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 25. Be ashamed of insulting words before friends, And do not be insulting after making a gift; Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 26. Of repeating and telling what you hear And revealing secrets. Wisdom of Sirach 41, verse 27. So be truly modest And find favor before every man.