Sirach

CHAPTER 7

Conduct Toward God and Neighbor^*

lest you harvest it sevenfold.^a

or from the king a place of honor.

and before the king do not flaunt your wisdom.^b

if you do not have the strength to root out crime,

Lest you show fear in the presence of the prominent

and mar your integrity.

or disgrace yourself before the assembly.

even for one, you will not go unpunished.

the Most High God will accept my offerings.”^c

or neglect almsgiving.

Remember: there is One who exalts and humbles.^*

or against your friend and companion.

for it never results in good.

or repeat the words of your prayer.^{* d}

work was assigned by God.^e

remember, his wrath will not delay.

what awaits mortals is worms.^{* f}

Duties of Family Life, Religion and Charity^*

or a true brother for the gold of Ophir.^*

a gracious wife is more precious than pearls.

or laborers who devote themselves to their task.^g

do not refuse them freedom.^*

if they are dependable, keep them.

and cure their stubbornness^* in their early youth.^h

and do not be indulgent to them.ⁱ

but give her to a sensible man.

but do not trust the wife you hate.

your mother’s birth pangs do not forget.^j

what can you give them for all they gave you?

and revere his priests.

and do not neglect his ministers.

give him his portion as you have been commanded:^k

First fruits and contributions,

his portion of victims and holy offerings.^*

that your blessing may be complete.

and do not withhold your kindness from the dead.^*

but mourn with those who mourn.^l

because for such things you will be loved.^m

and you will never sin.^*

* [7:1–17] In the conduct of social relations wisdom forbids evil and injustice (vv. 1–3), pride (vv. 5, 15–17), ambition and partiality (vv. 4, 6), public disorder (v. 7), presumption and impatience toward God (vv. 9–10), ridicule (v. 11), mischief and deceit toward one’s neighbor (vv. 8, 12–13). See the several wisdom poems in Prv 1–9.

* [7:1] There is a play on “evil” which means both moral wrong and material calamity.

* [7:11] One who exalts and humbles: God; cf. 1 Sm 2:7; Ps 75:8; Lk 1:52.

* [7:14] Repeat…prayer: brevity of speech is a wisdom ideal; toward superiors and God it is a sign of respect; cf. Eccl 5:1; Mt 6:7.

* [7:17] Worms: i.e., corruption; the Septuagint adds “fire.”

* [7:18–36] Respect and appreciation, justice and kindness should characterize relations toward members of the household (vv. 18–28), God and the priests (vv. 29–31), the poor and afflicted, the living and the dead (vv. 32–35).

* [7:18] Ophir: the port, at present unidentified, to which the ships of Solomon sailed and from which they brought back gold and silver; cf. note on Ps 45:10.

* [7:21] After six years of service a Hebrew slave was entitled to freedom; cf. Ex 21:2; Dt 15:12–15.

* [7:23] Cure their stubbornness: keep them from rebellious pride; so with the Greek. Cf. 30:1–13. The Hebrew text, probably not original here, reads: “Choose wives for them while they are young.”

* [7:31] First fruits…holy offerings: cf. Ex 29:27; Lv 7:31–34; Nm 18:8–20; Dt 18:1–5.

* [7:33] This seems to refer to the observances ordained toward the dead, that is, proper mourning and burial. Cf. 2 Sm 21:12–14; Tb 1:17–18; 12:12.

* [7:36] Never sin: because the last days of the sinner, it was presumed, would be troubled.

a. [7:3] Jb 4:8; Prv 22:8; Hos 8:7.

b. [7:5] Jb 9:2; Ps 143:2; Prv 25:6; 1 Cor 4:4.

c. [7:9] Sir 34:21–24; 35:14–15.

d. [7:14] Sir 32:7–10; Mt 6:7.

e. [7:15] Gn 2:15; 3:17.

f. [7:17] Sir 10:11; Jb 17:14; Is 66:24.

g. [7:20] Lv 19:13; Dt 24:14–15; Jas 5:4.

h. [7:23] Sir 30:1–13; Prv 13:24; 19:18; 23:13–14; 29:15, 17.

i. [7:24] Sir 42:9–12.

j. [7:27] Sir 3:1–16; Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16; Tb 4:3–4; Prv 23:22.

k. [7:31] Lv 7:31; Nm 18:18.

l. [7:34] Rom 12:15.

m. [7:35] Mt 25:36.