Man in society
free from anxiety, prosperous in all things,
and still vigorous enough to enjoy a good meal!
2   Death, how welcome is your sentence
to a destitute man whose strength is failing,
worn down by age and endless anxiety,
resentful and at the end of his patience!
3   Do not be afraid of death's summons;
remember those who have gone before you, and those who will come after.
4   This is the Lord's decree for all living men;
why try to argue with the will of the Most High?
Whether life lasts ten years, or a hundred, or a thousand,
there will be no questions asked in the grave.


5   What a loathsome brood are the children of sinners,
brought up in haunts of vice!
6   Their inheritance dwindles away,
and their descendants suffer a lasting disgrace.
7   A godless father is blamed by his children
for the disgrace they endure on his account.
8   Woe to you, godless men
who have abandoned the law of God Most High!
9   When you are born, you are born to a curse,
and when you die, a curse is your lot.
10   Whatever comes from earth returns to earth;
so too the godless go from curse to ruin.
11   Men grieve over the death of the body,
but sinners have no good name to survive them.
12   Take thought for your name, for it will outlive you
longer than a thousand hoards of gold.
13   The days of a good life are numbered,
but a good name lasts for ever.


14   My children, be true to your training and live in peace.
Wisdom concealed and treasure hidden—
what is the use of either?
15   Better a man who hides his folly
than one who hides his wisdom!

Man in society
16   Show deference then to my teaching:
shame is not always to be encouraged,
or given unqualified approval in all circumstances.
17   Be ashamed to be found guilty of fornication by your parents,
or of lies by a ruler or prince;
18   of crime by a judge or magistrate,
or of a breach of the law by the assembly and people;
of dishonesty by a partner or friend,
19   or of theft by the neighbourhood;
be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant.
Be ashamed of bad manners at table,
of giving or receiving with a sneer,
20   of refusing to return a greeting,
or of ogling a prostitute.
21   Be ashamed of turning away a relative,
of robbing someone of his rightful share,
or of eyeing another man's wife.
22   Be ashamed of meddling with his slave-girl,
and keep away from her bed.
Be ashamed of reproaching your friends,
or following up your charity with a lecture.
23   Be ashamed of repeating what you have heard
and of betraying a secret.
24   Then you will be showing a proper shame
and will be popular with everyone.

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