BenSira:40
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Great travail is created for every man ,
and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam ,
from the day that they go out of their mother '
s womb ,
till the day that they return to the mother of all things .
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Their imagination of things to come ,
and the day of death , [
trouble ]
their thoughts ,
and [
cause ]
fear of heart ;
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From him that sitteth on a throne of glory ,
unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes ;
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From him that weareth purple and a crown ,
unto him that is clothed with a linen frock .
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Wrath ,
and envy ,
trouble ,
and unquietness ,
fear of death ,
and anger ,
and strife ,
and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep ,
do change his knowledge .
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A little or nothing is his rest ,
and afterward he is in his sleep ,
as in a day of keeping watch ,
troubled in the vision of his heart ,
as if he were escaped out of a battle .
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When all is safe ,
he awaketh ,
and marvelleth that the fear was nothing .
* [
Such things happen ]
unto all flesh ,
both man and beast ,
and that is sevenfold more upon sinners .
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Death ,
and bloodshed ,
strife ,
and sword ,
calamities ,
famine ,
tribulation ,
and the scourge ;
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These things are created for the wicked ,
and for their sakes came the flood .
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All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again :
and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea .
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All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out :
but true dealing shall endure for ever .
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The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river ,
and shall vanish with noise ,
like a great thunder in rain .
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While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice :
so shall transgressors come to nought .
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The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches :
but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock .
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The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass .
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Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden ,
and mercifulness endureth for ever .
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To labour ,
and to be content with that a man hath ,
is a sweet life :
but he that findeth a treasure is above them both .
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Children and the building of a city continue a man '
s name :
but a blameless wife is counted above them both .
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Wine and musick rejoice the heart :
but the love of wisdom is above them both .
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The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody :
but a pleasant tongue is above them both .
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Thine eye desireth favour and beauty :
but more than both corn while it is green .
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A friend and companion never meet amiss :
but above both is a wife with her husband .
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Brethren and help are against time of trouble :
but alms shall deliver more than them both .
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Gold and silver make the foot stand sure :
but counsel is esteemed above them both .
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Riches and strength lift up the heart :
but the fear of the Lord is above them both :
there is no want in the fear of the Lord ,
and it needeth not to seek help .
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The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden ,
and covereth him above all glory .
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My son ,
lead not a beggar '
s life ;
for better it is to die than to beg .
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The life of him that dependeth on another man '
s table is not to be counted for a life ;
for he polluteth himself with other men '
s meat :
but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof .
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Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless :
but in his belly there shall burn a fire .