Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 41

41:1

O death, how bitter is the memory of you to a man who is at peace in his possessions,

—

41:2

O death, your sentence is acceptable to a man who is needy and who fails in strength,

—

41:3

Don’t be afraid of the sentence of death.

—

41:4

And why do you refuse when it is the good pleasure of the Most High?

—

41:5

The children of sinners are abominable children

—

41:6

The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish

—

41:7

Children will complain of an ungodly father,

—

41:8

Woe to you, ungodly men,

—

41:9

If you are born, you will be born to a curse.

—

41:10

All things that are of the earth will go back to the earth;

—

41:11

The mourning of men is about their bodies;

—

41:12

Have regard for your name,

—

41:13

A good life has its number of days,

—

41:14

My children, follow instruction in peace.

—

41:15

Better is a man who hides his foolishness

—

41:16

Therefore show respect for my words;

—

41:17

Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother,

—

41:18

of an offence before a judge and ruler,

—

41:19

and of theft in the place where you sojourn.

—

41:20

of silence before those who greet you,

—

41:21

of turning away your face from a kinsman,

—

41:22

of meddling with his maid—and don’t come near her bed,

—

41:23

of repeating and speaking what you have heard,

—

41:24

So you will be ashamed of the right things

—