1 O death, how bitter is the memory of you to a man who is at peace in his possessions, to the man who has nothing to distract him and has prosperity in all things, and who still has strength to enjoy food! (WEB) 2 O death, your sentence is acceptable to a man who is needy and who fails in strength, who is in extreme old age, is distracted about all things, is perverse, and has lost patience! (WEB) 3 Don’t be afraid of the sentence of death. Remember those who have been before you and who come after. This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh. (WEB) 4 And why do you refuse when it is the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life lasts ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years, there is no inquiry about life in Hades. (WEB)
Sirach 41:1–4
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 14:11–13
11 My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. (WEB) 12 Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you. (WEB) 13 Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach… (WEB)
Psalms 89:46–48
46 How long, O LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath keep burning like fire? 47 Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men! 48 What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?…
2 Esdras 8:4–6
4 I answered, “Drink your fill of understanding then, O my soul, and let my heart devour wisdom. (WEB) 5 For you have come here apart from your will, and depart against your will, for you have only been given a short time to live. (WEB) 6 O Lord over us, grant to your servant th… (WEB)
Job 30:22–24
22 You snatch me up into the wind and drive me before it; You toss me about in the storm. 23 Yes, I know that You will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living. 24 Yet no one stretches out his hand to a ruined man when he cries for help in his d…
2 Esdras 7:116–118
116 I answered then, “This is my first and last saying, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, to have restrained him from sinning. (WEB) 117 For what profit is it for all who are in this present time to live in… (WEB)
Job 3:20–22
20 Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul, 21 who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure, 22 who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?
Sirach 30:16–18
16 There is no wealth better than health of body. There is no gladness above the joy of the heart. (WEB) 17 Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than a continual sickness. (WEB) 18 Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like food offerings laid upon… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 2:1–2
1 For they said within themselves, with unsound reasoning, “Our life is short and sorrowful. There is no healing when a man comes to his end, and no one was ever known who was released from Hades. (WEB) 2 Because we were born by mere chance, and hereafter we will be as… (WEB)
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources