✠ The Douay-Rheims Bible
✠ Sirach 40
Chapters
SIR 40:1 Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam, from the day of their coming out of their mother’s womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
SIR 40:2 Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:
SIR 40:3 From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes:
SIR 40:4 From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife,
SIR 40:5 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.
SIR 40:6 A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.
SIR 40:7 He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear:
SIR 40:8 Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold mere.
SIR 40:9 Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:
SIR 40:10 All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
SIR 40:11 All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.
SIR 40:12 All bribery, and injustice shall blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.
SIR 40:13 The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass sway a noise like a great thunder in rain.
SIR 40:14 While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.
SIR 40:15 The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.
SIR 40:16 The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.
SIR 40:17 Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.
SIR 40:18 The life of a labourer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.
SIR 40:19 Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
SIR 40:20 Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
SIR 40:21 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
SIR 40:22 Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.
SIR 40:23 A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
SIR 40:24 Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.
SIR 40:25 Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.
SIR 40:26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.
SIR 40:27 There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.
SIR 40:28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.
SIR 40:29 My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.
SIR 40:30 The life of him that looketh toward another man’s table is not to be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man’s meat.
SIR 40:31 But a man, well instructed and taught, will look to himself.