1. O death! How bitter is the thought of youfor the one at peace in his home,For the one who is serene and always successful,who can still enjoy life’s pleasures.
2. O death! How welcome is your sentenceto the weak, failing in strength,Stumbling and tripping on everything,with sight gone and hope lost.
3. Do not fear death’s decree for you;remember, it embraces those before you and those to come.
4. This decree for all flesh is from God;why then should you reject a law of the Most High?Whether one has lived a thousand years, a hundred, or ten,in Sheol there are no arguments about life.
5. The children of sinners are a reprobate line,and witless offspring are in the homes of the wicked.
6. The inheritance of children of sinners will perish,and on their offspring will be perpetual disgrace.
14b. Hidden wisdom and concealed treasure,of what value is either?
14a. My children, listen to instruction about shame;
16a. judge of disgrace according to my rules,
16b. Not every kind of shame is shameful,nor is every kind of disgrace to be recognized.
20a. of failing to return a greeting;
21c. Of gazing at a man’s wife,
20b. of entertaining thoughts about another woman;