Sirach 41
Death is a bitter memory for those who have peace and prosperity, but a welcome judgment for the poor and weak. One should not fear death, but rather remember that it is a part of life and a judgment from the Lord. The wicked will be punished and their legacy will perish, while a good name will continue forever. It is also important to practice discipline and respect, and to avoid shameful behaviors such as fornication, lying, and theft.
1O death, how bitter is the memory of you: to a man who has peace in his substance2to a quiet man, and to him whose ways are directed properly in all things, and who still has the strength to take nourishment3O death, your judgment is good to the indigent man, and to him whose strength has diminished4who is failing due to old age, and who is anxious about all things, and to the unbelieving man who has lost patience5Do not choose to dread the judgment of death. Remember the things that occurred before you, and the things that will occur after you. This judgment is from the Lord upon all flesh6And what will happen to you is well-pleasing to the Most High, whether in ten, or one hundred, or one thousand years7For death is no indictment of life8The sons of sinners, and those who pass their time in the manner of the houses of the impious, become sons of abominations9The inheritance of the sons of sinners will perish, and continual disgrace will be with their offspring10The sons of an impious father will complain, for they are in disgrace because of him11Woe to you, impious men, who have abandoned the law of the Most High Lord12And when you are born, you will be born into a curse; and when you die, your portion will be in a curse13All things that are from the earth shall return to the earth. Similarly, the impious will proceed from a curse unto perdition14The grieving of men is in their body, but the name of the impious will be wiped away15Have concern for your good name. For this will continue with you, more so than a thousand precious and great treasures16A good life has its number of days, but a good name will continue forever17Sons, practice discipline peacefully. For what use is there in either concealed wisdom, or undiscovered treasure18Better is the man who hides his foolishness than the man who hides his wisdom19Yet truly, have respect for these things which proceed from my mouth20For it is not good to observe every reverence. And all things do not please all persons in their beliefs21Have shame of these things: of fornication before father and mother, and of a lie before the first leader and the powerful22of a crime before a ruler or a judge, of iniquity before a congregation or a people23of injustice before a companion or a friend, and of the place in which you live24of theft, and of the truth before God, and of the covenant, of reclining to eat bread, and of deceitfulness in giving or receiving25of silence before those who greet you, of looking upon a woman of fornication, and of averting your face from a relative26You should not avert your face from your neighbor, nor should you take away a portion and not restore it27You should not stare at another man’s wife, and nor pursue his handmaid, nor approach her bed28Avoid reproachful speeches before friends, and when you give, you should not place blame
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