Sirach 40:1–9
1Great travail is created for every man. A heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their coming forth from their mother’s womb, until the day for their burial in the mother of all things.↗
2The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear in their hearts.↗
3From him who sits on a throne of glory, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,↗
4from him who wears purple and a crown, even to him who is clothed in burlap,↗
5there is wrath, jealousy, trouble, unrest, fear of death, anger, and strife. In the time of rest upon his bed, his night sleep changes his knowledge.↗
6He gets little or no rest, and afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, he is troubled in the vision of his heart, as one who has escaped from the front of battle.↗
7In the very time of his deliverance, he awakens, and marvels that the fear is nothing.↗
8To all creatures, human and animal, and upon sinners sevenfold more,↗
9come death, bloodshed, strife, sword, calamities, famine, suffering, and plague.↗
Source: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain. Text is taken directly from the source. Headings are editorial, not biblical verses.
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