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The Joys of Life

18 Wealth and wages make life sweet,[a]
    but better than either is finding a treasure.
19 Children and the building of a city establish one’s name,
    but better than either is one who finds wisdom.
Cattle and orchards make one prosperous;[b]
    but a blameless wife is accounted better than either.
20 Wine and music gladden the heart,
    but the love of friends[c] is better than either.

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Footnotes

  1. Sirach 40:18 Heb: Gk Life is sweet for the self-reliant worker
  2. Sirach 40:19 Heb Syr: Gk lacks but better . . . prosperous
  3. Sirach 40:20 Heb: Gk wisdom

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