Ben Sira 41:7-17

7 Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer disgrace because of him.
8 Woe to you, the ungodly, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
9 If you have children, calamity will be theirs; you will beget them only for groaning. When you stumble, there is lasting joy; and when you die, a curse is your lot.
10 Whatever comes from earth returns to earth; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
11 The human body is a fleeting thing, but a virtuous name will never be blotted out.
12 Have regard for your name, since it will outlive you longer than a thousand hoards of gold.
13 The days of a good life are numbered, but a good name lasts forever.
14 My children, be true to your training and be at peace; hidden wisdom and unseen treasure— of what value is either?
15 Better are those who hide their folly than those who hide their wisdom.
16 Therefore show respect for my words; for it is not good to feel shame in every circumstance, nor is every kind of abashment to be approved.
17 Be ashamed of sexual immorality, before your father or mother; and of a lie, before a prince or a ruler;

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Heb: Meaning of Gk uncertain
  • [b]. Heb: Gk [People grieve over the death of the body, but the bad name of sinners will be blotted out]
  • [c]. Heb: Gk [and not everything is confidently esteemed by everyone]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.