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Human Wretchedness

40 Hard work was created for everyone,
    and a heavy yoke is laid on the children of Adam,
from the day they come forth from their mother’s womb
    until the day they return to[a] the mother of all the living.[b]
Perplexities and fear of heart are theirs,
    and anxious thought of the day of their death.
From the one who sits on a splendid throne
    to the one who grovels in dust and ashes,

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Footnotes

  1. Sirach 40:1 Other Gk and Lat authorities read are buried in
  2. Sirach 40:1 Heb: Gk of all

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