Ecclesiasticus, 40

1. Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.

1. Painful is the lot of all men, a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam from the day they leave their mother's womb to the day they return to the mother of us all.

2. Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, [trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart;

2. What is on their mind, what they fear in their heart, is the day of their death.

3. From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;

3. From the king, glorious on his throne, robed in purple and wearing a crown,

4. From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.

4. to the lowliest person sitting in dust and ashes and covered with sackcloth, there is anger, envy, trouble and unrest, fear of death, rivalry and quarrels.

5. Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.

5. And at night when we lie down we have fresh worries:

6. A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.

6. scarcely are we at rest and asleep when we are troubled by dreams as vivid as if it were day and we were fleeing from a battle.

7. When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.

7. When it is time to wake up, we feel surprised to find that there is nothing to fear.

8. [Such things happen] unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.

8. This is the fate of every living creature, man and beast, but for sinners it is seven times worse,

9. Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;

9. in death, bloodshed, strife, sword, misfortune, famine, affliction and calamity.

10. These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.

10. All these were created for the wicked, and the flood as well was sent on their account.

11. All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.

11. Everything that comes from the earth goes back to the earth, and what comes from the waters returns to the sea.

12. All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.

12. All bribery, all injustice will disappear but good faith will last forever.

13. The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.

13. The unjust riches will vanish like a stream that dries up; they will crash like a clap of thunder during a downpour.

14. While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.

14. A generous man has reason to rejoice, whereas sinners go to their ruin.

15. The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.

15. The children of the ungodly will not be blessed with large families; they are like plants taking root on sheer rock,

16. The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.

16. like reeds in water and along the river bank, withering sooner than other plants.

17. Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.

17. Kindness is like a garden of blessings and charity endures forever.

18. To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.

18. Life is pleasant both for an independent person and a self-reliant worker, but still better off is the one who finds a treasure.

19. Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.

19. The name of a man who has children or who has established a town will live on, but to have found wisdom is a greater good. Owning cattle and plantations brings fame, but a perfect wife is a richer blessing.

20. Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.

20. Wine and music gladden the heart, but better still is the love of wisdom.

21. The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.

21. The flute and harp make fine music, but even more appreciated is a pleasant voice.

22. Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.

22. Gracefulness and beauty delight the eye, but not as much as the fresh growth of fields.

23. A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.

23. It is always good for friends and companions to meet, better still for husband and wife.

24. Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.

24. Brothers and protectors are useful in hard times, but it will be of greater help to have been a giver of alms.

25. Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.

25. Gold and silver make for security but good advice is better.

26. Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.

26. Wealth and strength give confidence, but good counsel is more esteemed than either. You cannot suffer loss when you fear the Lord, with it you have all the support you need.

27. The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.

27. The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessings; it clothes a person better than any glory.

28. My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die than to beg.

28. My son, do not live the life of a beggar; it would be better to die than to beg.

29. The life of him that dependeth on another man's table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men's meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.

29. When a man is always eyeing another's table, it cannot be said that he is really living, for he is defiling himself with another's food; an intelligent and educated man will avoid this.

30. Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.

30. That for which a shameless man begs may seem sweet to his mouth but his inner being is burning.