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)
Sirach 41:1–3
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?…
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?
Book of Enoch 103:4–6
4 And the spirits of you who have died in righteousness shall live and rejoice, And their spirits shall not perish, nor their memorial from before the face of the Great One Unto all the generations of the world: wherefore no longer fear their contumely. (ENO) 5 Woe to y… (ENO)
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)
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 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)
Testament of Zebulun 2:35–37
35 And ye shall be cast away by Him unto the time of consummation. (T12) 36 And now, my children, grieve not that I am dying, nor be cast down in that I am coming to my end. (T12) 37 For I shall rise again in the midst of you, as a ruler in the midst of his sons; and I shall rejoic… (T12)
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