Chapter 40

Thoughts of death evoke sorrowful reflections, especially for the impious person. Impiety in general does not remain unpunished. True prosperity belongs to the good and honest laborer who does not scorn the advice of wisdom.

Sirach 40:1. Many labors are appointed for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam from the day of their going forth from their mother’s womb until the day of their return to the mother of all. Verse 1. Until the day of their return to the mother of all the earth-born – the earth. Verse 9 and following up to verse 16 see with verses 33–38 of chapter XXXIX.

Sirach 40:2. Thought about what is to come and the day of death produce in them reflection and fear of heart. 3. From one sitting on a glorious throne to one thrown down on the earth and in dust, 4. from one wearing purple and a crown to one clothed in sackcloth, – 5. all have vexation and jealousy, and confusion, and unrest, and fear of death, and indignation, and strife, and in the time of rest on the bed at night sleep disturbs his mind. 6. Little, almost no rest at all does he have, and therefore also in sleep, as by day, he is on watch: 7. being troubled by his heart’s imaginings, like one who fled from the battlefield, in the time of his peace he awakes and wonders at finding nothing dreadful. 8. Although this happens to all flesh, from man to beast, but with sinners it is sevenfold more. 9. Death, murder, strife, sword, disaster, famine, destruction and calamity, – 10. all these are for the lawless; and the flood was for them. 11. All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea. Verse 11. The bodies of animals and man, after death, decompose by breaking down into the elements that comprised them.

Sirach 40:12. Every gift and injustice will be destroyed, but loyalty will stand forever. Verse 12. Every gift given in avoidance of justice.

Sirach 40:13. The possessions of the unjust, like a stream, will dry up and, like a strong thunder in a rainstorm, will pass away. Verse 13. Will pass away and vanish.

Sirach 40:14. Who opens his hand is glad; but transgressors will utterly perish. Verse 14. Who opens his hand to help the needy is glad and prospers through God’s blessing and the blessings of his neighbors.

Sirach 40:15. The offspring of the ungodly will not multiply branches, and impure roots on a rocky cliff: Verse 15. The offspring of the ungodly is short-lived, just as short-lived are impure roots in rocky soil.

Sirach 40:16. rushes by any water and on the bank of a river are cut down before all other grass. Verse 16. Is an image confirming verse 15.

Sirach 40:17. Charity, like a garden, is full of blessings, and mercy abides forever. 18. The life of the content with their portion and the laborer is sweet; but exceeding both of these is one who finds treasure. Verse 18. Is explained in verses 19–28.

Sirach 40:19. Children and the building of a city perpetuate a name, but surpassing both of these is considered a blameless wife. 20. Wine and music gladden the heart, but better than both of these is the love of wisdom. 21. The pipe and the harp make pleasant the singing, but better than these is a pleasant tongue. 22. Grace and beauty are desired for your eyes, but more than both of these is the greenery of crops. 23. Friend and companion meet by occasion, but a wife with her husband always. 24. Brothers and protectors – in time of trouble, but more reliably than both of these saves mercy. 25. Gold and silver establish the feet, but more reliable than both of these is recognized good counsel. 26. Wealth and strength uplift the heart, but higher than these is the fear of the Lord: 27. in the fear of the Lord there is no want, and there is no need to seek help with it; 28. the fear of the Lord is like a blessed garden, and covers it with all glory. 29. My son! do not live a beggar’s life: it is better to die than to ask for alms. 30. Who gazes at another’s table, his life is not a life: he debases his soul with another’s food; 31. but a prudent and well-bred man will guard himself from that. 32. In the mouth of the shameless asking for alms will seem sweet, but in his belly a fire will be kindled. Verse 32. But in his belly a fire will be kindled – the fire of wounded self-respect and other consequences of thoughtless parasitism.