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.
O death, how bitter is the memory of you: to a man who has peace in his substanceto a quiet man, and to him whose ways are directed properly in all things, and who still has the strength to take nourishmentO death, your judgment is good to the indigent man, and to him whose strength has diminishedwho is failing due to old age, and who is anxious about all things, and to the unbelieving man who has lost patienceDo 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 fleshAnd what will happen to you is well-pleasing to the Most High, whether in ten, or one hundred, or one thousand yearsFor death is no indictment of lifeThe sons of sinners, and those who pass their time in the manner of the houses of the impious, become sons of abominationsThe inheritance of the sons of sinners will perish, and continual disgrace will be with their offspringThe sons of an impious father will complain, for they are in disgrace because of himWoe to you, impious men, who have abandoned the law of the Most High LordAnd when you are born, you will be born into a curse; and when you die, your portion will be in a curseAll things that are from the earth shall return to the earth. Similarly, the impious will proceed from a curse unto perditionThe grieving of men is in their body, but the name of the impious will be wiped awayHave concern for your good name. For this will continue with you, more so than a thousand precious and great treasuresA good life has its number of days, but a good name will continue foreverSons, practice discipline peacefully. For what use is there in either concealed wisdom, or undiscovered treasureBetter is the man who hides his foolishness than the man who hides his wisdomYet truly, have respect for these things which proceed from my mouthFor it is not good to observe every reverence. And all things do not please all persons in their beliefsHave shame of these things: of fornication before father and mother, and of a lie before the first leader and the powerfulof a crime before a ruler or a judge, of iniquity before a congregation or a peopleof injustice before a companion or a friend, and of the place in which you liveof theft, and of the truth before God, and of the covenant, of reclining to eat bread, and of deceitfulness in giving or receivingof silence before those who greet you, of looking upon a woman of fornication, and of averting your face from a relativeYou should not avert your face from your neighbor, nor should you take away a portion and not restore itYou should not stare at another man’s wife, and nor pursue his handmaid, nor approach her bedAvoid reproachful speeches before friends, and when you give, you should not place blame
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