Sir 41

1 O death, how bitter is the remembrance of you to a man that lives at rest in his possessions,to the man that has nothing to vex him, and that has prosperity in all things: yes, to him that is yetable to receive meat! 2 O death, acceptable is your sentence to the needy, and to him whose strength fails, thatis now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despairs, and has lost patience! 3 Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before you, and that comeafter; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh. 4 And why are you against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in thegrave, whether you have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years. 5 The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwellingof the ungodly. 6 The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetualreproach. 7 The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached forhis sake. 8 Woe be to you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if you⌃increase, it shall be to your destruction: 9 And if you⌃ be born, you⌃ shall be born to a curse: and if you⌃ die, a curse shall beyour portion. 10 All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curseto destruction. 11 The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blottedout. 12 Have regard to your name; for that shall continue with you above a thousand great treasuresof gold. 13 A good life has but few days: but a good name endures for ever. 14 My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that isnot seen, what profit is in them both? 15 A man that hides his foolishness is better than a man that hides his wisdom. 16 Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness;neither is it altogether approved in every thing. 17 Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mightyman; 18 Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people;of unjust dealing before your partner and friend; 19 And of theft in regard of the place where you sojourn, and in regard of the truth ofGod and his covenant; and to lean with your elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take; 20 And of silence before them that salute you; and to look upon an harlot; 21 And to turn away your face from your kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; orto gaze upon another man's wife. 22 Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speechesbefore friends; and after you have given, upbraid not;