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.
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;