The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 40 -

The miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace of God and his fear.

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.
2
Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart;
3
From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
4
From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.
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.
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.
7
When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.
8
Such things happen unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.
9
Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
10
These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
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.
12
All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.
13
The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
14
While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.
15
The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
16
The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
17
Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.
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.
19
Children and the building of a city continue a man’s name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.
20
Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21
The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22
Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.
23
A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.
24
Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.
25
Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.
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.
27
The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
28
My son, lead not a beggar’s life; for better it is 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.
30
Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.

The miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace of God and his fear.

1
Great travail is created for every man. A heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their coming forth from their mother’s womb, until the day for their burial in the mother of all things.
2
The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear in their hearts.
3
From him who sits on a throne of glory, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,
4
from him who wears purple and a crown, even to him who is clothed in burlap,
5
there is wrath, jealousy, trouble, unrest, fear of death, anger, and strife. In the time of rest upon his bed, his night sleep changes his knowledge.
6
He gets little or no rest, and afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, he is troubled in the vision of his heart, as one who has escaped from the front of battle.
7
In the very time of his deliverance, he awakens, and marvels that the fear is nothing.
8
To all creatures, human and animal, and upon sinners sevenfold more,
9
come death, bloodshed, strife, sword, calamities, famine, suffering, and plague.
10
All these things were created for the wicked, and because of them the flood came.
11
All things that are of the earth turn to the earth again. All things that are of the waters return into the sea.
12
All bribery and injustice will be blotted out. Good faith will stand forever.
13
The goods of the unjust will be dried up like a river, and like a great thunder in rain will go off in noise.
14
In opening his hands, a man will be made glad; so lawbreakers will utterly fail.
15
The children of the ungodly won’t grow many branches, and are as unhealthy roots on a sheer rock.
16
The reeds by every water or river bank will be plucked up before all grass.
17
Kindness is like a garden of blessings. Almsgiving endures forever.
18
The life of one who labors and is content will be made sweet. He who finds a treasure is better than both.
19
Children and the building of a city establish a name. A blameless wife is better than both.
20
Wine and music rejoice the heart. The love of wisdom is better than both.
21
The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody. A pleasant tongue is better than both.
22
Your eye desires grace and beauty, but the green shoots of grain more than both.
23
A friend and a companion is always welcome, and a wife with her husband is better than both.
24
Relatives and helpers are for a time of affliction, but almsgiving rescues better than both.
25
Gold and silver will make the foot stand sure, and counsel is esteemed better than both.
26
Riches and strength will lift up the heart. The fear of the Lord is better than both. There is nothing lacking in the fear of the Lord. In it, there is no need to seek help.
27
The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing and covers a man more than any glory.
28
My son, don’t lead a beggar’s life. It is better to die than to beg.
29
A man who looks to the table of another, his life is not to be considered a life. He will pollute his soul with another person’s food, but a wise and well-instructed person will beware of that.
30
Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the shameless, but it kindles a fire in his belly.
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