Death
1Death! 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!
2Your 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!
3Do not be afraid of Death’s sentence; think of those who have gone before you and those who will follow. 4The 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 hundred or a thousand years, no one in the netherworld is concerned.
5Abominable people, such are the children of sinners who gather in the houses of the ungodly.
6The inheritance of sinners will perish; their prosperity will be a lasting reproach.
7An ungodly father will be insulted by his children, for they hold him responsible for their disgrace.
8Woe to you, wicked people who have forsaken the law of the Most High!
9At birth you are born to be cursed and you will be cursed at death.
10All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and the ungodly go from curse to ruin.
11People grieve because their bodies will perish, but even the evil names of sinners will be blotted out.
12Have regard for your reputation, for it will live on, of greater value than a thousand hoards of gold. 13Few perhaps are the days of the just man’s life but an honored name endures forever.
True and false shame
14My children, keep my teaching and live in peace. Of what use is hidden wisdom and unseen treasure?
15It is better for a man to hide his foolishness than to hide his wisdom.
16Therefore, feel shame according to what I say. It is not always fitting to feel shame, but this is not understood by everyone.
17Be ashamed of licentiousness before your father and mother, and of a lie before a ruler or an important person.
18Be ashamed of criminal behavior before a judge, and of iniquity before an assembly of people.
19Feel ashamed of dishonesty before your partner or friend, and of a theft in the place where you live.
20Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of keeping the loaves for yourself, 21of being unable to give and to receive, of not returning a greeting,
22of staring at a prostitute,
of rejecting a compatriot,
23of depriving someone of what is his,
of gazing at another man’s wife,
24of being too familiar with your maid servant – keep away from her bed!
25of insulting words to a friend –
do not follow up a gift with a reproach!
26of repeating what you have heard and betraying secrets.
27On these occasions feel genuine shame and you will be respected by all.
