1
חיים למות, מה מר זכרך, לאיש שוקט על מכונתו. איש שליו ומצליח בכל, ועוד בו חיל לקבל תענוג.
O death, how bitter is the thought of you to a man at ease in his dwelling, a man untroubled and prospering in everything, still strong enough to enjoy pleasure.
Ὦ θάνατε, ὡς πικρόν σου τὸ μνημόσυνόν ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ εἰρηνεύοντι ἐν τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν αὐτοῦ, ἀνδρὶ ἀπερισπάστῳ, καὶ εὐοδουμένῳ ἐν πᾶσι, καὶ ἔτι ἰσχύοντι ἐπιδέξασθαι τροφήν;
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, Unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: Yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!
2
האח למות, כי טוב חקיך, לאיש אונים וחסר עצמה. איש כושל ינקש בכל, סורב ואובד תקוה.
Ah, death, how good is your decree to a man in need and lacking strength, a stumbling man who is struck by everything, rebellious and without hope.
Ὦ θάνατε, καλόν σου τὸ κρίμα ἐστὶν ἀνθρώπῳ ἐπιδεομένῳ καὶ ἐλασσουμένῳ ἰσχύϊ, ἐσχατογήρῳ, καὶ περισπωμένῳ περὶ πάντων, καὶ ἀπειθοῦντι, καὶ ἀπολωλεκότι ὑπομονήν.
O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, And unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, And is vexed with all things, And to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!
3
אל תפחד ממות חקיך, זכור כי ראשנים ואחרנים עמך.
Do not fear death, your decree; remember that those before and those after share it with you.
Μὴ εὐλαβοῦ κρίμα θανάτου· μνήσθητι προτέρων σου καὶ ἐσχάτων, τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα παρὰ Κυρίου πάσῃ σαρκί.
Fear not the sentence of death, Remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; For this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.
4
זה חלק כל בזר מאל, ומה תמאס בתורת עליון. לאלף שנים מאה ועשר, איש תוכחות בשאול חיים.
This is the portion of all flesh from God, so why reject the law of the Most High? Whether a thousand years, a hundred or ten, there are no rebukes for life in Sheol.
Καὶ τί ἀπαναίνῃ ἐν εὐδοκίᾳ ὑψίστου; εἴτε δέκα, εἴτε ἑκατὸν, εἴτε χίλια ἔτη· οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ᾅδου ἐλεγμὸς ζωῆς.
And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? There is no inquisition in the grave, Whether thou have lived ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.
5
נין נמאס דבר רעים, ונכד אויל במגור רשע.
A despised brood are the children of the wicked, and a foolish offspring is in the dwelling of the wicked.
Τέκνα βδελυκτὰ γίνεται τέκνα ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ συναναστρεφόμενα παροικίαις ἀσεβῶν.
The children of sinners are abominable children, And they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
6
מבן עול ממשלת רע, וריש עם זרעו תמיד.
From a son of iniquity comes evil rule, and poverty is ever with his descendants.
Τέκνων ἁμαρτωλῶν ἀπολεῖται κληρονομία, καὶ μετὰ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτῶν ἐνδελεχιεῖ ὄνειδος.
The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, And from their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
7
אב רשע יקוב ילד, כי בגללו לחרפה.
Children curse a wicked father, for because of him they are disgraced.
Πατρὶ ἀσεβεῖ μέμψεται τέκνα, ὅτι διʼ αὐτὸν ὀνειδισθήσονται.
The children will complain of an ungodly father, Because they will be reproached for his sake.
8
אוי לכם אנשי רשע, אשר עזבתם תורת עליון.
Woe to you, wicked men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High!
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν ἄνδρες ἀσεβεῖς, οἵτινες ἐγκατελίπετε νόμον Θεοῦ ὑψίστου.
Who be unto you, ungodly men, Which have forsaken the law of the most high God! For if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:
9
אם תפרו על ידי אסון, ואם תולידו לאנחה. אם תכשלו לשמחת עולם, ואם תמותו לקללה.
If you are fruitful, it is for calamity, and if you beget, it is for sighing; if you stumble, it is for everlasting joy to others, and if you die, it is for a curse.
Καὶ ἐὰν γεννηθῆτε, εἰς κατάραν γεννηθήσεσθε· καὶ ἐὰν ἀποθάνητε, εἰς κατάραν μερισθήσεσθε.
And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: And if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
10
כל מאפס אל אפס ישוב, כן חנף מתהו אל תהו.
All that is from nothing returns to nothing; so the godless go from emptiness to emptiness.
Πάντα ὅσα ἐκ γῆς, εἰς γῆν ἀπελεύσεται· οὕτως ἀσεβεῖς ἀπὸ κατάρας εἰς ἀπώλείαν.
All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: So the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.
11
הבל אדם בגויתו, אך שם חסד לא יכרת.
Man's body is a breath, but a name of kindness will not be cut off.
Πένθος ἀνθρώπων ἐν σώμασιν αὐτῶν, ὄνομα δὲ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἀγαθὸν, ἐξαλειφθήσεται.
The mourning of men is about their bodies: But an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.
12
פחד על שם כי הוא ילוך, מאלפי אוצרות חכמה.
Be careful of your name, for it will accompany you more than thousands of treasures of wisdom.
Φρόντισον περὶ ὀνόματος, αὐτὸ γάρ σοι διαμενεῖ, ἢ χίλιοι μεγάλοι θησαυροὶ χρυσίου.
Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee Above a thousand great treasures of gold.
13
טובת חי ימי מספר, וטובת שם ימי אין מספר.
The goodness of life lasts a number of days, but the goodness of a name, days without number.
Ἀγαθῆς ζωῆς ἀριθμὸς ἡμερῶν, καὶ ἀγαθὸν ὄνομα εἰς αἰῶνα διαμένει.
A good life hath but few days: But a good name endureth forever.
14
חכמה טמונה ואוצר מוסתר, מה תועלה בשתיהם.
Hidden wisdom and concealed treasure — what use is there in either?
Παιδείαν ἐν εἰρήνῃ συντηρήσατε τέκνα, σοφία δὲ κεκρυμμένη καὶ θησαυρὸς ἀφανὴς, τίς ὠφέλεια ἐν ἀμφοτέροις;
My children, keep discipline in peace: For wisdom that is hidden, and a treasure that is not seen, What profit is in them both?
15
טוב איש מצפין אולתו, מאיש מצפין חכמתו מוסר בשת.
Better a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom. Instruction about shame:
Κρείσσων ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν μωρίαν αὐτοῦ, ἢ ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν σοφίαν αὐτοῦ.
A man that hideth his foolishness is better Than a man that hideth his wisdom.
16
מוסר בשת שמעו בנים, והכלמו על משפטי. לא כל בשת נאה לשמור, ולא כל הכלם נבחר.
hear, children, instruction about shame, and be ashamed according to my rule. Not every kind of shame is fitting to keep, and not every kind of disgrace is to be chosen.
Τοιγαροῦν ἐντράπητε ἐπὶ τῷ ῥήματί μου· οὐ γάρ ἐστι πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην διαφυλάξαι καλὸν, καὶ οὐ πάντα πᾶσιν ἐν πίστει εὐδοκιμεῖται.
Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: For it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; Neither is it altogether approved in everything.
17
בוש מאב ואם, אל זנות, מנשיא יושב אל כחש.
Be ashamed before father and mother of fornication, before a prince and ruler of falsehood,
Αἰσχύνεσθε ἀπὸ πατρὸς καὶ μητρὸς περὶ πορνείας, καὶ ἀπὸ ἡγουμένου καὶ δυνάστου περὶ ψεύδους·
Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: And of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
18
מאדון וגברת על שקר, מעדה ועם על פשע. מחבר ורע על מעל, וממקום תגור על זר.
before master and mistress of lying, before the congregation and the people of transgression, before companion and friend of treachery, and before the place where you live of theft;
ἀπὸ κριτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντος περὶ πλημμελείας, ἀπὸ συναγωγῆς καὶ λαοῦ περὶ ἀνομίας· ἀπὸ κοινωνοῦ καὶ φίλου περὶ ἀδικίας, καὶ ἀπὸ τόπου οὗ παροικεῖς περὶ κλοπῆς·
Of an offense before a judge and ruler; Of iniquity before a congregation and people; Of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;
19
מהפר אלה וברית, ממטה אציל אל לחם.
of breaking an oath and a covenant, of stretching your elbow at the bread,
καὶ ἀπὸ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ καὶ διαθήκης, καὶ ἀπὸ πήξεως ἀγκῶνος ἐπʼ ἄρτοις· ἀπὸ σκορακισμοῦ λήψεως καὶ δόσεως,
And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, And in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; And to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; And of scorning to give and take;
20
ממנוע מתת שאלה, מהשב אפי רעך.
of refusing a gift that is asked, of turning away the face of your neighbour,
καὶ ἀπὸ ἀσπαζομένων περὶ σιωπῆς· ἀπὸ ὁράσεως γυναικὸς ἑταίρας,
And of silence before them that salute thee; And to look upon a harlot;
21
מהשבית מחלקת ומנה, משואל שלום מהחריש. מהביט אל פני זרה, ומהתקרב אל שפחתה.
of withholding a portion and a share, of keeping silent before one who greets you, of gazing at a strange woman, and of approaching her maidservant;
καὶ ἀπὸ ἀποστροφῆς προσώπου συγγενοῦς· ἀπὸ ἀφαιρέσεως μερίδος καὶ δόσεως, καὶ ἀπὸ κατανοήσεως γυναικὸς ὑπάνδρου,
And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; Or to take away a portion or a gift; Or to gaze upon another man’s wife;
22
מאוהב על דברי חרפה, ומאחרי מתת אח מנאץ.
before a friend, of words of reproach, and after giving a gift, of insulting;
ἀπὸ περιεργείας παιδίσκης αὐτοῦ, καὶ μὴ ἐπιστῇς ἐπὶ τὴν κοίτην αὐτῆς, ἀπὸ φίλων περὶ λόγων ὀνειδισμοῦ, καὶ μετὰ τὸ δοῦναι, μὴ ὀνείδιζε.
Or to be overbusy with his maid, And come not near her bed; Or of upbraiding speeches before friends; And after thou hast given, upbraid not;
23
משנות דבר תשמע, ומחסוף כל סוד עצה.
of repeating a word you hear, and of laying bare any secret counsel.
Ἀπὸ δευτερώσεως καὶ λόγου ἀκοῆς, καὶ ἀπὸ ἀποκαλύψεων λόγων κρυφίων·
Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; And of revealing of secrets;
24
והיית בוש באמת, ומצא חן בעיני כל חי.]
Then you will be truly modest, and find favour in the eyes of all the living.]
καὶ ἔσῃ αἰσχυντηρὸς ἀληθινῶς, καὶ εὑρίσκων χάριν ἔναντι παντὸς ἀνθρώπου·
So shalt thou be truly shamefaced, And find favor before all men.