Ecclesiasticus, 41

1. O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!

1. Death! What a bitter thought for someone who lives happily among his possessions, a prosperous and successful man who is still able to enjoy his food!

2. O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!

2. Your sentence, Death, is welcome to a needy person whose strength is failing, who is old, worn out, and full of worries; to one who is angry and without hope!

3. Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.

3. Do not be afraid of Death's sentence; think of those who have gone before you and those who will follow.

4. And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.

4. The Lord has decreed it for every living creature; why should you rebel against the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether you live for ten, a hundred or a thousand years, no one in the netherworld is concerned.

5. The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.

5. Abominable people, such are the children of sinners who gather in the houses of the ungodly.

6. The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.

6. The inheritance of the sons of sinners will perish; their prosperity will be a lasting reproach.

7. The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.

7. An ungodly father will be insulted by his children, for they hold him responsible for their disgrace.

8. Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:

8. Woe to you, wicked people who have forsaken the law of the Most High!

9. And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.

9. At birth you are born to be cursed and you will be cursed at death.

10. All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.

10. All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and the ungodly go from curse to ruin.

11. The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.

11. People grieve because their bodies will perish, but even the evil names of sinners will be blotted out.

12. Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.

12. Have regard for your reputation, for it will live on, of greater value than a thousand hoards of gold.

13. A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.

13. Few perhaps are the days of the just man's life but an honored name endures forever.

14. My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?

14. My children, keep my teaching and live in peace. Of what use is hidden wisdom and unseen treasure?

15. A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.

15. It is better for a man to hide his foolishness than to hide 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.

16. Therefore, feel shame according to what I say. It is not always fitting to feel shame, but this is not understood by everyone.

17. Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;

17. Be ashamed of licentiousness before your father and mother, and of a lie before a ruler or an important person.

18. Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;

18. Be ashamed of criminal behavior before a judge, and of iniquity before an assembly of people.

19. And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take;

19. Feel ashamed of dishonesty before your partner or friend, and of a theft in the place where you live.

20. And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;

20. Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of keeping the loaves for yourself,

21. And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man's wife.

21. of being unable to give and to receive, of not returning a greeting,

22. Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;

22. of staring at a prostitute, of rejecting a compatriot,

23. Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets.

23. of depriving someone of what is his, of gazing at another man's wife,

24. So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.

24. of being too familiar with your maidservant - keep away from her bed!

25.

25. of insulting words to a friend - do not follow up a gift with a reproach!

26.

26. of repeating what you have heard and betraying secrets.

27.

27. On these occasions feel genuine shame and you will be respected by all.