Chapter LI: The Sinners’ Portion

Who Wisdom’s path forsakes
Leaves all true joy behind;
He who the peace of others breaks,
No peace himself shall find.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,
Such is the fate that sinners know.

The drunkard gaily sings
Above his foaming glass,
But shame and pain the revel brings
Ere many hours can pass.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,
Such is the fate that sinners know.

The thief may count his gains;—
If he the sum could see
Of future punishment and pains,
Sad would his reckoning be.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,
Such is the fate that sinners know.

The Sabbath-breaker spurns
What Wisdom did ordain;
God’s rest to Satan’s use he turns,
A blessing to a bane.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,
Such is the fate that sinners know.

O Lord, to Thee we pray,
Do Thou our faith increase,
Make us to walk in Wisdom’s way,
The only way of peace!
For flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,
Such is the fate that sinners know.