1
עסק גדול חלק אל, ועל כבד על בני אדם. מיום צאתו מרחם אמו, עד יום שובו אל אם כל חי.
God has allotted great toil, and a heavy yoke is on the children of men, from the day they come out of their mother's womb until the day they return to the mother of all living,
Ἀσχολιὰ μεγάλη ἔκτισται παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ, καὶ ζυγὸς βαρὺς ἐπὶ υἱοὺς Ἀδὰμ, ἀφʼ ἡμέρας ἐξόδου ἐκ γαστρὸς μητρὸς αὐτῶν ἕως ἡμέρας ἐπὶ ταφῇ εἰς μητέρα πάντων.
Great travail is created for every man, And a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, From the day that they go out of their mother’s womb, Till the day that they return to the mother of all things.
2
Τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ φόβον καρδίας, ἐπίνοια προσδοκίας, ἡμέρα τελευτῆς·
Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, [Trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart;
3
מיושב כסא לגבה, עד לשוב עפר ואפר.
from the one who sits on a lofty throne to the one who returns to dust and ashes,
ἀπὸ καθημένου ἐπὶ θρόνου ἐν δόξῃ, καὶ ἕως τεταπεινωμένου ἐν γῇ καὶ σποδῷ·
From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, Unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
4
מעוטה צניף וציץ, ועד עוטה שמלת עור.
from the one who wears turban and diadem to the one wrapped in a garment of hide:
ἀπὸ φοροῦντος ὑάκινθον καὶ στέφανον, καὶ ἕως περιβαλλουμένου ὠμόλινον·
From him that weareth purple and a crown, Unto [him that is clothed with a linen] frock.
5
אך קנאה דאגה ופחד, אימת מות תחרה ורב. ועת נוחו על משכבו, שינת לילה תשנה רעתו.
only jealousy, worry and fear, dread of death, strife and quarrel; and when he rests on his bed, the sleep of night renews his troubles.
θυμὸς καὶ ζῆλος καὶ ταραχὴ καὶ σάλος καὶ φόβος θανάτου καὶ μηνίαμα καὶ ἔρις, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ ἀναπαύσεως ἐπὶ κοίτης ὕπνος νυκτὸς ἀλλοιοῖ γνῶσιν αὐτοῦ.
Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, And in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.
6
מעט לריק כרגע ישקוט, ומבין בהלות לבו נרעש. מעט טע מחזיון נפשו, כשריד בורח מפני רודף.
For a little, for nothing, he is quiet for a moment, and from his heart's alarms he is shaken; a little rest from the visions of his soul, like a fugitive fleeing from a pursuer.
Ὀλίγον ὡς οὐδὲν ἐν ἀναπαύσει, καὶ ἀπʼ ἐκείνου ἐν ὕπνοις ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σκοπιᾶς, τεθορυβημένος ἐν ὁράσει καρδίας αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἐκπέφευγὼς ἀπὸ προσώπου πολέμου.
Little or nothing is his rest, And afterward he is in his sleep as in a day of keeping watch, Troubled in the vision of his heart, As if he were escaped out of a battle.
7
עוד עורך מלחמה והקיץ, ואימה אין ומצא מנוח.
Still waging war, he wakes up, and finds there was no terror, and finds rest.
Ἐν καιρῷ σωτηρίας αὐτοῦ ἐξηγέρθη, καὶ ἀποθαυμάζων εἰς οὐδένα φόβον.
When all is safe, he awaketh, And marveleth that the fear was nothing.
8
[ועם כל בשר דאגתם עמם, ועשרם מניד שנתם].
[With all flesh, their worry is with them, and their wealth drives away their sleep.]
Μετὰ πάσης σαρκὸς ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπου ἕως κτήνους, καὶ ἐπὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἑπταπλάσια πρὸς ταῦτα.
[Such things happen] unto all flesh, both man and beast, And sevenfold more upon sinners.
9
דבר ודם חרחר וחרב, שד ושבר רעה ומות.
Pestilence and bloodshed, fever and sword, ruin and destruction, evil and death:
Θάνατος καὶ αἷμα καὶ ἔρις καὶ ῥομφαία,. ἐπαγωγαὶ, λιμὸς καὶ σύντριμμα καὶ μάστιξ,
Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, Calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
10
על רשע נבראה רעה, ובעבור תמוש כלה.
evil was created for the wicked, and because of him destruction does not depart.
ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀνόμους ἐκτίσθη ταῦτα πάντα, καὶ διʼ αὐτοὺς ἐγένετο ὁ κατακλυσμός.
These things are created for the wicked, And through them came the flood.
11
כל מארץ אל ארץ ישוב, ואשר ממרום אל מרום.
All that is from the earth returns to the earth, and what is from on high returns on high.
Πάντα ὅσα ἀπὸ γῆς εἰς γῆν ἀναστρέφει, καὶ ἀπὸ ὑδάτων εἰς θάλασσαν ἀνακάμπτει.
All things that are of the earth do turn to the earth again: And that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.
12
Πᾶν δῶρον καὶ ἀδικία ἐξαλειφθήσεται, καὶ πίστις εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα στήσεται.
All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: But true dealing shall endure forever.
13
מחיל אל חיל כנחל איתן, ומאפיק אדיר בחזיז קולות.
Wealth to wealth is like a mighty torrent, like a great stream with peals of thunder.
Χρήματα ἀδίκων ὡς ποταμὸς ξηρανθήσεται, καὶ ὡς βροντὴ μεγάλη ἐν ὑετῷ ἐξηχήσει.
The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, And shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
14
עם עם שאתו כפים יגזלו, כי פתאם לנצח יתם.
With the people who lift up their hands they plunder, for suddenly they come to an end for ever.
Ἐν τῷ ἀνοῖξαι αὐτὸν χεῖρας, εὐφρανθήσεται, οὕτως οἱ παραβαίνοντες εἰς συντέλειαν ἐκλείψουσιν.
While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: So shall transgressors come to nought.
15
נוצר מחמס לא ינקה, כי שרש חנף על שן תלע.
One who is formed from violence will not go unpunished, for the root of the godless is on a cliff of rock.
Ἔκγονα ἀσεβῶν οὐ πληθύνει κλάδους, καὶ ῥίζαι ἀκάθαρτοι ἐπʼ ἀκροτόμου πέτρας.
The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: But are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
16
כקרדמות על מטעי נחל, מפני כל מטר נדעכו.
Like reeds on the banks of a stream, they are dried up before any rain.
Ἄχει ἐπὶ παντὸς ὕδατος καὶ χείλους ποταμοῦ πρὸ παντὸς χόρτου ἐκτιλήσεται.
The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river Shall be pulled up before all grass.
17
וחסד לעולם לא ימוט, וצדקה לעד תכון.
But kindness will never be shaken, and righteousness stands for ever.
Χάρις ὡς παράδεισος ἐν εὐλογίαις, καὶ ἐλεημοσύνη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα διαμένει.
Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, And mercifulness endureth forever.
18
חיי יין ושכר ימתקו, ומשניהם מוצא אוצר.
A life of wine and strong drink is sweet, but better than both is finding a treasure.
Ζωὴ αὐτάρκους ἐργάτου γλυκανθήσεται, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα ὁ εὑρίσκων θησαυρόν.
To labor, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: But he that findeth a treasure is above them both.
19
ילד ועיר יעמידו שם, ומשניהם מוצא חכמה. שגר ונטע יפריחו שם, ומשניהם אשה נחשקת.
Children and a city establish a name, but better than both is finding wisdom. Offspring of cattle and planting make a name flourish, but better than both is a beloved wife.
Τέκνα καὶ οἰκοδομὴ πόλεως στηρίζουσιν ὄνομα, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα γυνὴ ἄμωμος λογίζεται.
Children and the building of a city continue a man’s name: But a blameless wife is counted above them both.
20
יין ושכר יעליצו לב, ומשניהם אהבת דודים.
Wine and strong drink gladden the heart, but better than both is the love of friends.
Οἶνος καὶ μουσικὰ εὐφραίνουσι καρδίαν, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα ἀγάπησις σοφίας.
Wine and music rejoice the heart: But the love of wisdom is above them both.
21
חליל ונבל יעריבו שיר, ומשניהם לשון ברה.
Flute and harp make song sweet, but better than both is a clear voice.
Αὐλὸς καὶ ψαλτήριον ἡδύνουσι μέλι, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα γλῶσσα ἡδεῖα.
The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: But a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22
יפי ותאר יחמידו עין, ומשניהם צמחי שדה.
Grace and beauty delight the eye, but better than both are the green shoots of the field.
Χάριν καὶ κάλλος ἐπιθυμήσει ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα χλόην σπόρου.
Thine eye desireth favor and beauty: But more than both the first sprouting of corn.
23
עמית ורע לעת ינהגו, ומשניהם אשה משכלת.
A companion and a friend lead one at the right time, but better than both is a sensible wife.
Φίλος καὶ ἑταῖρος εἰς καιρὸν ἀπαντῶντες, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα γυνὴ μετὰ ἀνδρός.
A friend and companion never meet amiss: But above both is a wife with her husband.
24
אח ושותף לעת צרה, ומשניהם צדק מצלת.
A brother and a partner for a time of trouble, but better than both is righteousness that rescues.
Ἀδελφοὶ καὶ βοήθεια εἰς καιρὸν θλίψεως, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα ἐλεημοσύνη ῥύσεται.
Brethren and help are against time of trouble: But alms shall deliver more than them both.
25
זהב וכסף יעמידו רגל, ומשניהם עצה טובה.
Gold and silver make the foot stand firm, but better than both is good counsel.
Χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον ἐπιστήσουσι πόδα, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀπφότερα βουλὴ εὐδοκιμεῖται.
Gold and silver make the foot stand sure; But counsel is esteemed above them both.
26
חיל וכח יגדלו לב, ומשניהם יראת אלהים. אין ביראת אלהים מחסור, ואין לבקש עמה משען.
Wealth and strength lift up the heart, but better than both is the fear of God. In the fear of God there is no want, and with it there is no need to seek support.
Χρήματα καὶ ἰσχὺς ἀνυψώσουσι καρδίαν, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα φόβος Κυρίου· οὐκ ἔστι φόβῳ Κυρίου ἐλάττωσις, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐπιζητῆσαι ἐν αὐτῷ βοήθειαν.
Riches and strength lift up the heart: But the fear of the Lord is above them both: There is no want in the fear of the Lord, And it needeth not to seek help.
27
יראת אלהים כעדן ברכה, ועל כל כבוד חפתה.
The fear of God is like a blessed Eden, and its canopy is over all glory.
Φόβος Κυρίου ὡς παράδεισος εὐλογίας, καὶ ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν δόξαν ἐκάλυψαν αὐτόν.
The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, And covereth him above all glory.
28
חיי מכי מתן אל תחי, טוב נאסף כמסתולל. [א כל ימי עני רעים, בן סירא אומר אף לילות. ב בשפל גנים גנו, ובמרום הרים כרמו. ג ממטר גנים לגנו, ומעפר כרמו לכרמים.]
My son, do not live a life of begging; better to die than to be a vagrant. [All the days of the poor are evil — Ben Sira says: the nights too. His roof is the lowest of roofs, and his vineyard on the heights of the mountains; the rain of other roofs falls on his roof, and the earth of his vineyard on other vineyards.]
Τέκνον, ζωὴν ἐπαιτήσεως μὴ βιώσῃς, κρεῖσσον ἀποθανεῖν ἢ ἐπαιτεῖν.
My son, lead not a beggar’s life; For better it is to die than to beg.
29
איש משגיח על שלחן זר, אין חייו למנות חיים. מעוג לנפש מטעמו, לאיש יודע סוד מעים.
A man who looks to a stranger's table — his life is not to be counted a life. His delicacies are a defilement to the soul, to a man who knows the inner discipline.
Ἀνὴρ βλέπων εἰς τράπεζαν ἀλλοτρίαν, οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῦ ὁ βίος ἐν λογισμῷ ζωῆς, ἀλισγήσει τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐδέσμασιν ἀλλοτρίοις· ἀνὴρ δὲ ἐπιστήμων καὶ πεπαιδευμένος φυλάξεται.
The life of him that dependeth on another man’s table is not to be counted for a life; For he polluteth himself with other men’s meat: But a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.
30
לאיש עוז נפש תמתיק שאלה, ובקרבו תבער כמו אש.
To a man of bold appetite begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.
Ἐν στόματι ἀναιδοῦς γλυκανθήσεται ἐπαίτησις, καὶ ἐν κοιλίᾳ αὐτοῦ πῦρ καήσεται.
Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: But in his belly there shall burn a fire.