WISDOM 41

1 O death, how bitter is the remembrance of you to a man that lives at rest in his possessions,
To the man who has no pain unto him, and that has prosperity in all;
Even to he who is yet able to gain food!

2 O death, your lot is acceptable to the needy,
And to him whose strength fails, that is now in the last age, and pained with all,
And to he who despairs, and has lost patience!

3 Do not fear the lot of death;
Remember those who have been before you, and who come after;
For this is the lot from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 over all flesh.

4 And why are you against the decision of the Most High?
There is no searching in the grave,
Whether you have lived ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.

5 The children of sinners are abominable children,
And those who keep company in the dwelling of the wicked.

6 The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish,
And their descendants shall be an everlasting reproach.

7 The children complain of a wicked father,
Because they shall be reproached for his sake.

8 Woe unto you, wicked men, who have forsaken the Law of the Most High Elohim!
For if you increase, it shall be to your destruction:

9 And if you are born, you shall be born into a curse:
And if you die, a curse shall be your lot.

10 All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again;
So the wicked shall go from a curse to destruction.

11 The mourning of men is over their bodies;
But the evil name of sinners shall be blotted out.

12 Have regard for your name;
For that shall continue with you above a thousand great treasures of gold.

13 A good life has few days;
But a good name endures forever.

14 My children, guard discipline in peace;
For wisdom that is hidden, and a treasure that is not seen;
What profit is there in either?

15 A man that hides his foolishness is better than a man that hides his wisdom.

16 Therefore be ashamed according to my word;
For it is not good to retain all shame;
Nor is it altogether approved in every matter:

17 Be ashamed of whoring before your father and mother;
And of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;

18 Of an offense before a judge and ruler;
Of wickedness before the assembly and people;
Of unrighteous dealing before your partner and friend;

19 And of theft in regard to the place where you sojourn,
And in regard to the truth of Elohim and His Covenant;
And to lean with your elbow upon the food;
And despising to give and take;

20 And of silence before those who greet you;
And to look upon a whore;

21 And to turn away your face from your relative;
Or to take away a portion or a gift;
Or to gaze upon another man’s wife.

22 Or to be meddling with his female servant,
And do not come near her bed;
Or words of reproach before friends;
And after you have given, do not reproach;

23 Or of repeating and speaking again that which you have heard;
And of revealing of secrets.

24 So you shall be truly ashamed and find favour before all men.