1O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!
2O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!
3Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.
4And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.
5The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
6The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.
7The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.
8Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:
9And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
10All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.
11The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.
12Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.
13A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.
14My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?
15A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.
16Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing.
17Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
18Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;
19And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take;
20And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;
21And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man’s wife.
22Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;
23Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets.
24So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.