Sir 40:1 

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. 

Sir 40:2 

Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, 

[trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart; 

Sir 40:3 

From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is 

humbled in earth and ashes; 

Sir 40:4 

From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is 

clothed with a linen frock. 

Sir 40:5 

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. 

Sir 40:6 

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. 

Sir 40:7 

When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear 

was nothing. 

Sir 40:8 

[Such things happen] unto all flesh, both man and beast, and 

that is sevenfold more upon sinners. 

Sir 40:9 

Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, 

tribulation, and the scourge; 

Sir 40:10 

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 turn to the earth 

again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea. 

Sir 40:12 

All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true 

dealing shall endure for ever. 

Sir 40:13 

The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and 

shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain. 

Sir 40:14 

While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall 

transgressors come to nought. 

Sir 40:15 

The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many 

branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock. 

Sir 40:16 

The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall 

be pulled up before all grass. 

Sir 40:17 

Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness 

endureth for ever. 

Sir 40:18 

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. 

Sir 40:19 

Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: 

but a blameless wife is counted above them both. 

Sir 40:20 

Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is 

above them both. 

Sir 40:21 

The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant 

tongue is above them both. 

Sir 40:22 

Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn 

while it is green. 

Sir 40:23 

A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a 

wife with her husband. 

Sir 40:24 

Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall 

deliver more than them both. 

Sir 40:25 

Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is 

esteemed above them both. 

Sir 40:26 

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. 

Sir 40:27 

The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him 

above all glory. 

Sir 40:28 

My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die 

than to beg. 

Sir 40:29 

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. 

Sir 40:30 

Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his 

belly there shall burn a fire.