Sirach

CHAPTER 42

of betraying any secret.^a

Be ashamed of the right things,

and you will find favor in the sight of all.

But of these things do not be ashamed,

lest you sin to save face:^b

or of justice that acquits the ungodly;

of dividing an inheritance or property;

of tested measures and weights;^c

Of acquiring much or little,

Of constant training of children,

of beating the sides of a wicked servant;^d

of a key where there are many hands;

of recording all that is taken in and given out;

for the aged and infirm answering for wanton conduct.

Thus you will be truly refined

and recognized by all as discreet.

A Father’s Care for His Daughter^*

and worry over her drives away sleep:^e

Lest in her youth she remain unmarried,

or when she is married, lest she be childless;

or in her husband’s house, lest she prove unfaithful;

Lest she become pregnant in her father’s house,

or be sterile in that of her husband.

lest she make you a laughingstock for your enemies,

A byword in the city and the assembly of the people,

an object of derision in public gatherings.^f

See that there is no lattice in her room,

or spot that overlooks the approaches to the house.

or spend her time with married women;

so a woman’s wickedness comes from a woman.

a frightened daughter than any disgrace.

The Works of God in Nature^*

what I have seen, I will describe.

By the LORD’s word his works were brought into being;

he accepts the one who does his will.^h

so the glory of the LORD fills all his works;

in recounting the wonders of the LORD,

Though God has given his hosts the strength

to stand firm before his glory.

their secrets he understands.

For the Most High possesses all knowledge,

and sees from of old the things that are to come.

and reveals the deepest secrets.

no single thing escapes him.ⁱ

he is from all eternity one and the same,

With nothing added, nothing taken away;

no need of a counselor for him!^j

delightful to gaze upon and a joy to behold!

and to meet each need all things are preserved.

yet none of them has he made in vain;

can one ever see enough of their splendor?^k

* [42:9–14] Ben Sira considers a daughter to be a source of anxiety to her father, lest she fail to marry, or be defiled, or lest, marrying, she be childless, prove unfaithful, or find herself sterile (vv. 9–10). He is advised to keep a close watch on her and on her companions, lest he suffer on her account among the people (vv. 11–12). The exhortations, which take into account only a father’s concern, are quite unflattering to young women. The concluding statements (vv. 13–14) show the limitations of Ben Sira’s perspective in the male-oriented society of his day.

* [42:15–43:33] These verses comprise another hymn; cf. 16:24–18:14. In them Ben Sira contemplates God’s power, beauty, and goodness as manifested in the mighty work of creating and preserving the universe (42:15–17, 22–25; 43:1–26), his omniscience (42:18–20), perfect wisdom and eternity (42:21). The conclusion is a fervent hymn of praise (43:27–31).

a. [42:1] Sir 27:16.

b. [42:1] Prv 24:23; Jas 2:1.

c. [42:4] Lv 19:35; Prv 11:1; 16:11; 20:10.

d. [42:5] Sir 30:1–13; 33:25–33.

e. [42:9] Sir 7:24–25.

f. [42:11] Dt 22:20–21.

g. [42:12–13] Sir 9:1–9.

h. [42:15] Ps 77:12–13.

i. [42:20] Sir 39:19; Wis 1:6–9.

j. [42:21] Wis 9:13; Is 40:13; Rom 11:34; 1 Cor 2:11.

k. [42:25] Sir 33:15.