Ben Sira 40:5-14

5 All through our lives we meet anger, jealousy, and trouble. Things disturb us; we live with furious conflicts and with the fear of death. Even when we go to bed, we think up new troubles in our sleep.
6 We get little rest, if any at all. When we sleep, it is as if we were awake, disturbed by our imaginations. If we dream that we are running from an enemy,
7 just as we are about to be caught, we wake up and are relieved to find there is nothing to be afraid of.
8 Here is what all creatures, both human and animal, must face (but it is seven times worse for sinners):
9 death, violence, conflict, murder, disaster, famine, sickness, epidemic.
10 All these things were created because of the wicked; they are the ones who have caused destruction.
11 Everything that comes from the earth goes back to the earth, just as all water flows into the sea.
12 Nothing that comes from bribery or injustice will last, but the effects of loyalty will remain forever.
13 Wealth that has been obtained dishonestly is like a stream that runs full during a thunderstorm,
14 tumbling rocks along as it flows, but then suddenly goes dry.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. [Probable text] caught; [Greek] rescued.
  • [b]. [Hebrew] have caused destruction; [Greek] caused the flood.
  • [c]. [Verses 13-14 are translated from Hebrew; verse 14 in Greek is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.