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The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 41 -

Of the remembrance of death: of an evil and of a good name: of what things we ought to be ashamed.

1
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!
2
To a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat!
3
O death, thy sentence is welcome to the man that is in need, and to him whose strength faileth:
4
Who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loseth patience!
5
Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.
6
And what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most High? Whether ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.
7
For among the dead there is no accusing of life.
8
The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.
9
The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
10
The children will complain of an ungodly father, because for his sake they are in reproach.
11
Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high Lord.
12
And if you be born, you shall be born in malediction: and if you die, in malediction shall be your portion.
13
All things that are of the earth, shall return into the earth: so the ungodly shall from malediction to destruction.
14
The mourning of men is about their body, but the name of the ungodly shall be blotted out.
15
Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.
16
A good life hath its number of days: but a good name shall continue for ever.
17
My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is there in them both?
18
Better is the man that hideth his folly, then the man that hideth his wisdom.
19
Wherefore have a shame of these things I am now going to speak of.
20
For it is not good to keep all shamefacedness: and all things do not please all men in opinion.
21
Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother: and of a lie before a governor and a man in power:
22
Of an offence before a prince, and a judge: of iniquity before a congregation and a people:
23
Of injustice before a companion and friend: and in regard to the place where thou dwellest,
24
Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:
25
Of silence before them that salute thee: of looking upon a harlot: and of turning away thy face from thy kinsman.
26
Turn not sway thy face from thy neighbour, and of taking away a portion and not restoring.
27
Gaze not upon another man’s wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed.
28
Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends: and after thou hast given, upbraid not.

Of the remembrance of death: of an evil and of a good name: of what things we ought to be ashamed.

1
O death, how bitter is the memory of you to a man who is at peace in his possessions, to the man who has nothing to distract him and has prosperity in all things, and who still has strength to enjoy food!
2
O death, your sentence is acceptable to a man who is needy and who fails in strength, who is in extreme old age, is distracted about all things, is perverse, and has lost patience!
3
Don’t be afraid of the sentence of death. Remember those who have been before you and who come after. This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh.
4
And why do you refuse when it is the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life lasts ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years, there is no inquiry about life in Hades.(a)
5
The children of sinners are abominable children and they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly.
6
The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish and with their posterity will be a perpetual disgrace.
7
Children will complain of an ungodly father, because they suffer disgrace because of him.
8
Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!(b)
9
If you are born, you will be born to a curse. If you die, a curse will be your portion.
10
All things that are of the earth will go back to the earth; so the ungodly will go from a curse to perdition.
11
The mourning of men is about their bodies; but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
12
Have regard for your name, for it continues with you longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.
13
A good life has its number of days, but a good name continues forever.
14
My children, follow instruction in peace. But wisdom that is hidden and a treasure that is not seen, what benefit is in them both?
15
Better is a man who hides his foolishness than a man who hides his wisdom.
16
Therefore show respect for my words; for it is not good to retain every kind of shame. Not everything is approved by all in good faith.
17
Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother, of a lie before a prince and a mighty man,
18
of an offense before a judge and ruler, of iniquity before the congregation and the people, of unjust dealing before a partner and friend,
19
and of theft in the place where you sojourn. Be ashamed in regard of the truth of God and his covenant, of leaning on your elbow at dinner, of contemptuous behavior in the matter of giving and taking,
20
of silence before those who greet you, of looking at a woman who is a prostitute,
21
of turning away your face from a kinsman, of taking away a portion or a gift, of gazing at a woman who has a husband,
22
of meddling with his maid—and don’t come near her bed, of abusive speech to friends—and after you have given, don’t insult, of repeating and speaking what you have heard, and of revealing of secrets. So you will be ashamed of the right things and find favor in the sight of every man.

Footnotes

(a)41:4 or, the place of the deador, Sheol
(b)41:8 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
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