Ben Sira 41:5-15

5 The children of sinners are abominable children, and they frequent the haunts of the ungodly.
6 The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and on their posterity will be a perpetual reproach.
7 Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer reproach because of him.
8 Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
9 When you are born, you are born to a curse; and when you die, a curse is your lot.
10 Whatever is from the dust returns to dust; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
11 The mourning of men is about their bodies, but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
12 Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a thousand great stores of gold.
13 The days of a good life are numbered, but a good name endures for ever.
14 My children, observe instruction and be at peace; hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, what advantage is there in either of them?
15 Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.