1O death, how bitter is the memory of you to a man at peace in his dwelling, a man tranquil and prosperous in everything, who still has strength to enjoy pleasure.
2Welcome, death, for your decree is good for a man in need and lacking strength, a man who stumbles and is entangled in everything, who is defiant and has lost hope.
3Do not fear the decree of death; remember those before you and those after.
4This is the portion for all flesh from God, so why refuse the law of the Most High? Whether for a thousand years, a hundred, or ten, in Sheol there are no reproaches about one’s life.
5The children of evil men are an abhorred offspring, and a foolish descendant is in the dwelling of the wicked.
6From a sinful son comes a bad government, and poverty is with his descendants forever.
7Children will curse a wicked father, for because of him they are brought to shame.
8Woe to you, wicked men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High!
9If you prosper, it is for disaster, and if you bear children, it is for sighing. If you stumble, it is for eternal joy, and if you die, it is for a curse.
10All that is from nothing will return to nothing; so the ungodly go from emptiness to emptiness.
11The vanity of a person is in their body, but a godly name will not be cut off.
12Be concerned for your name, for it will accompany you more than thousands of treasures of wisdom.
13A good life is for a number of days, but a good name is for days without number.
14Hidden wisdom and a concealed treasure—what use is there in either of them?
15Better is a person who hides their folly than a person who hides their wisdom.
16Therefore, listen to instruction about shame, my children, and be ashamed according to my judgment. For not every shame is good to maintain, nor is every disgrace to be approved.
17Be ashamed of promiscuity before your father and mother, and of a lie before a leader and ruler;
18of a falsehood before a master and mistress; of a transgression before the congregation and people; of treachery before a partner and friend; and in the place where you live, of a stranger.
19of breaking an oath and a covenant; of leaning your elbow on the bread;
20of withholding a gift that is requested; of turning your face away from your neighbor;
21of taking away a share or a gift; of being silent to one who greets you; of staring at another man’s wife, or of getting too close to her maidservant;
22of reproachful words from a friend; and of insulting someone after giving a gift;
23of repeating a word you have heard, and of revealing a secret counsel.
24Then you will be truly ashamed, and you will find favor in the eyes of everyone.
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