41 1 a bAh!c Death, how bitter is dthe remembrance of theed b

To hime fthat liveth at peacef in ghis habitationg;

hTo him that is at easeh, and prospereth in all,

And that still hath strength to enjoy luxuryi.

2 Hail! Death, howk welcome is thy decreel

mTo the luckless manm, and that lacketh strength,

nThat stumbleth and trippethn oat everythingo,

pThat is brokenp, qand hath lost hopeq.

HB 3 rFear not Death, (it is) thy destinyr,

Remember that the former and the latter (share it) with thee.

4 This is the portions of all flesh from God,

tAnd how canst thou withstandu the decreev oft the Most High!

w(Be it) for a thousand years, for a hundred, or for ten (that thou livest)w,

In Sheol there are nox reproaches concerning life.

(e) 41:5–13. The end of the ungodly contrasted with the honour accorded to the name of the righteous

(= 3 + 3 + 1 + 3 distichs).

5 An abominable offspring is the generationy of sinners,

And za godless sproutz is ain the dwellings of the wickeda.

6 bFrom the son of the unrighteous man cshall the dominion be wrenched awaycb,

S dAnd wante shall ever abide with his seedd.

HB 7 A godless father do the childrenf curse,

G gFor because of him do they suffer reproachg.

8 hWoe unto you, ungodly men,

iWho have forsaken the Law of the Most High Godih!

HB 9 kIf ye increase (it will be) for mischiefk,

lAnd if ye bear children (it will be) for sighing;

If ye stumble (it will be) for everlasting joyl,

And if ye die (it will be)m for a cursen.

HB 10 oAll that is of naught returneth to naughto,

pSo the godless man,—from nothingness to nothingnessp.

11 qVanity is man (concerning) his bodyq,

rBut the name of the pious shall not be cut offr.

12 Be in fear for thy name, for that abideth longer for thee

Than thousands of sprecious treasuress.

13 tLife’s goods last for limited dayst,

uBut the reward of a name for days without numberu.

(a) 41:14–42:8. Moral duties enumerated under the category of shame.

(1) 41:14–15. Introduction to the section on the subject of shame

(= 2 distichs).

14 [vHidden wisdom and concealed treasure,

What is the use of either?

15 Better the man who hideth his folly,

Than the man who hideth his wisdom.]

(2) 41:16–42:8. x Instruction concerning shamex

(= 2 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 9 distichs).

16 yHear, O children, instruction concerning shamez y,

And be abashed aaccording to my judgementa.

(16)For not every kind of shame is meet to retain,

bAnd not every kind of abashment is to be approvedb.

17 cBe ashamed of a father and a mother of whoredom,

Of a prince and a rulercc of lies,

HB 18 dOf a master and a mistressd of deceit,

Of an assembly and a people of transgression,

Of a comrade and friend of treachery,

19 And of a place, where thou sojournest, of pridee.

ee[Be ashamed] to break an oath or a covenantee,

To stretch out thine elbow at meat,

fTo withholdg a gift that is asked forf,

21a (G) hTo turn away the faceh of thy friend,

21b (G) iTo cause the dividing of portions to ceasei,

20a (G) To be silent towards jhim that greeteth (thee)j,

20b (G) To look upon a woman that is a whore,

G 21c kTo gaze on a woman that hath a husband,

22a To be busy with his maidk l,

HB 22b (G) mAnd to violate her bedm,

22c (G) To [speak to] a friend with reproachful words;—

22d (G) And after giving a gift contemn not,—