Sirach · Revised Version with Apocrypha
Sirach 41 Revised Version with Apocrypha
1 O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that is at peace in his possessions, Unto the man that hath nothing to distract him, and hath prosperity in all things, And that still hath strength to receive meat!
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, acceptable is thy sentence unto a man that is needy, and that faileth in strength, That is in extreme old age, and is distracted about all things, And is perverse, and hath lost patience!
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 Fear not the sentence of death; Remember them that have been before thee, and that come after: This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh.
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 dost thou refuse, when it is the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether it be ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years, There is no inquisition of life in the grave.
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.
5 The children of sinners are abominable children, And they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly.
5 The children of sinners are abominable children and they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly.
6 The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, And with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
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 shall be reproached for his sake.
7 Children will complain of an ungodly father, because they suffer disgrace because of him.
8 Woe unto you, ungodly men, Which have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
8 Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
9 If ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse; If ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
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 shall go back to the earth: So the ungodly shall go from a curse unto perdition.
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 name of sinners being evil shall be blotted out.
11 The mourning of men is about their bodies; but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
12 Have regard to thy name; For it continueth with thee longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.
12 Have regard for your name, for it continues with you longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.
13 A good life hath its number of days; And a good name continueth for ever.
13 A good life has its number of days, but a good name continues forever.
14 My children, keep instruction in peace: But wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, What profit is in them both?
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 that hideth his foolishness Than a man that hideth his wisdom.
15 Better is a man who hides his foolishness than a man who hides his wisdom.
16 Wherefore shew reverence to my word: For it is not good to retain every kind of shame; And not all things are approved by all in good faith.
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 whoredom before father and mother: And of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
17 Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother, of a lie before a prince and a mighty man,
18 Of an offence before a judge and ruler; Of iniquity before the congregation and the people; Of unjust dealing before a partner and friend;
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 regard of the place where thou sojournest, And in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; And of leaning with thine elbow at meat; And of scurrility in the matter of giving and taking;
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 And of silence before them that salute thee; And of looking upon a woman that is a harlot;
20 of silence before those who greet you, of looking at a woman who is a prostitute,
21 And of turning away thy face from a kinsman; Of taking away a portion or a gift; And of gazing upon a woman that hath a husband;
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 being over busy with his maid; and come not near her bed; Of upbraiding speeches before friends; And after thou hast given, upbraid not;
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,
23 Of repeating and speaking what thou hast heard; And of revealing of secrets.
23 of repeating and speaking what you have heard, and of revealing of secrets.
24 So shalt thou be truly shamefast, And find favour in the sight of every man.
24 So you will be ashamed of the right things and find favor in the sight of every man.