Sir 41:1-4

1O death! How bitter is the thought of you^*

for the one at peace in his home,

For the one who is serene and always successful,

who can still enjoy life’s pleasures.

2O death! How welcome is your sentence

to the weak, failing in strength,

Stumbling and tripping on everything,

with sight gone and hope lost.^a

3Do not fear death’s decree for you;

remember, it embraces those before you and those to come.^b

4This 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.