Death
1 Death! What a bitter thought for someone who lives happily among his
possessions, a prosperous and successful man who is still able to enjoy
his food!
2 Your sentence, Death, is welcome to a needy person whose strength is
failing, who is old, worn out, and full of worries; to one who is angry
and without hope!
3 Do not be afraid of Death¡¯s sentence; think of those who have gone
before you and those who will follow.
4 The Lord has decreed it for every living creature; why should you
rebel against the good pleasure of the Most High?
Whether you live for ten, a hun dred or a thousand years, no one in the
nether world is concerned.
5 Abominable people, such are the children of sinners who gather in the
houses of the ungodly.
6 The inheritance of sinners will perish; their prosperity will be a
lasting reproach.
7 An ungodly father will be insulted by his children, for they hold him
responsible for their disgrace.
8 Woe to you, wicked peo ple who have forsaken the law of the Most High!
9 At birth you are born to be cursed and you will be cursed at death.
10 All that comes from the earth re turns to the earth, and the ungodly
go from curse to ruin.
11 People grieve because their bodies will perish, but even the evil
names of sinners will be blotted out.
12 Have regard for your reputation, for it will live on, of greater
value than a thousand hoards of gold.
13 Few perhaps are the days of the just man¡¯s life but an honored name
endures forever.
True and false shame
14 My children, keep my teaching and live in peace. Of what use is
hidden wisdom and un seen treasure?
15 It is better for a man to hide his foolishness than to hide his
wisdom.
16 Therefore, feel shame according to what I say. It is not always
fitting to feel shame, but this is not understood by everyone.
17 Be ashamed of licentiousness be fore your father and mother, and of a
lie before a ruler or an important person.
18 Be ashamed of criminal behavior before a judge, and of iniquity
before an assembly of people.
19 Feel ashamed of dishonesty before your partner or friend, and of a
theft in the place where you live.
20 Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of
keeping the loaves for your self,
21 of being unable to give and to receive, of not re turning a greeting,
22 of staring at a prostitute,
of rejecting a compatriot,
23 of depriving someone of what is his,
of gazing at another man¡¯s wife,
24 of being too familiar with your maid servant ¨C keep away from her
bed!
25 of insulting words to a friend ¨C
do not follow up a gift with a reproach!
26 of repeating what you have heard and betraying secrets.
27 On these occasions feel genuine shame and you will be respected by
all.