Sirach 38:16-23

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁶ My son, let your tears fall for the dead,
    and as one who is suffering grievously begin the lament.
Lay out his body with the honor due him,
    and do not neglect his burial.
¹⁷ Let your weeping be bitter and your wailing fervent;
    observe the mourning according to his merit,
for one day, or two, to avoid criticism;
    then be comforted for your sorrow.
¹⁸ For sorrow results in death,
    and sorrow of heart saps one’s strength.
¹⁹ In calamity sorrow continues,
    and the life of the poor man weighs down his heart.
²⁰ Do not give your heart to sorrow;
    drive it away, remembering the end of life.
²¹ Do not forget, there is no coming back;
    you do the dead^[a] no good, and you injure yourself.
²² “Remember my doom, for yours is like it:
    yesterday it was mine, and today it is yours.”
²³ When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance cease,
    and be comforted for him when his spirit has departed.