Sirach
THE WISDOM OF JESUS, SON OF SIRACH (Ecclesiaticus)
Anyone who values learning should be able to help others by what he himself says and writes.
(Sirach: Foreword)
There is only one who is wise, and we must stand in awe before his throne.
(Sirach 1:5, Good News Bible)
To honor the Lord is a heartfelt delight.
(Sirach 1:12, Good News Bible)
There is no excuse for unjustified anger.
(Sirach 1:22, Good News Bible)
Fearing the Lord is wisdom and an education in itself. He is pleased by loyalty and humility.
(Sirach 1:27, Good News Bible)
When you worship the Lord, do it with all your heart.
(Sirach 1:28, Good News Bible)
If you are going to serve the Lord, be prepared for times when you will be put to the test.
(Sirach 2:1, Good News Bible)
Accept whatever happens to you.
(Sirach 2:4, Good News Bible)
Human character is tested in the furnace of humiliation.
(Sirach 2:5, Good News Bible)
Trust the Lord and he will help you.
(Sirach 2:6)
Never seek honor for yourself.
(Sirach 3:10, Good News Bible)
Be humble in everything you do.
(Sirach 3:17, Good News Bible)
The greater you become, the more humble you should be.
(Sirach 3:18, Good News Bible)
Giving to the poor can make up for sin.
(Sirach 3:30)
Don’t underrate yourself. Humility deserves honor and respect, but a low opinion of yourself leads to sin.
(Sirach 4:20-21)
Do not bring on your own ruin by giving up your rights.
(Sirach 4:22)
Don’t allow yourself to be dominated by someone who is stupid.
(Sirach 4:27)
Stand up for what is right.
(Sirach 4:28, Good News Bible)
Be certain about what you believe and consistent in what you say.
(Sirach 5:9, Good News Bible)
If you don’t know what to say, keep quiet.
(Sirach 5:12, Good News Bible)
Do nothing destructive, whether it seems insignificant or not.
(Sirach 5:15, Good News Bible)
Devote all your time to studying the Lord’s commands and thinking about them.
(Sirach 6:37)
Don’t repeat yourself when you pray.
(Sirach 7:14, Good News Bible)
Take good care of any animals you own.
(Sirach 7:22, Good News Bible)
Love your Creator with all your strength.
(Sirach 7:30, Good News Bible)
Be generous to every living soul, and be gracious to the memory of the dead.
(Sirach 7:33)
Don’t be happy over the death of anyone; remember that all of us must die.
(Sirach 8:7, Good News Bible)
You should not reveal your most private thoughts to anyone.
(Sirach 8:19)
The Creator never intended for human beings to be arrogant and violent.
(Sirach 10:18, Good News Bible)
When you do your work, don’t make a show of your skill and don’t try to put on a show when you are in trouble.
(Sirach 10:26, Good News Bible)
Value yourself at your true value.
(Sirach 10:28)
Don’t make fun on someone who has fallen on hard times and is dressed in rags.
(Sirach 11:4, Good News Bible)
The Lord does wonderful things that human beings never notice.
(Sirach 11:4, Good News Bible)
Before you start criticizing, get your facts straight and think the matter through.
(Sirach 11:7)
Don’t get into an argument over something that is none of your business.
(Sirach 11:9)
Everything comes from the Lord: success and failure, poverty and wealth, life and death.
(Sirach 11:14, Good News Bible)
Keep your secrets to yourself.
(Sirach 13:13, Good News Bible)
A selfish man is an evil man; he turns his back on people’s needs
(Sirach 14:8, Good News Bible)
Greed will shrivel up a person’s soul.
(Sirach 14:8, Good News Bible)
Be as generous as you can.
(Sirach 14:13)
A hymn should be an expression of wisdom, inspired by the Lord himself.
(Sirach 15:10, Good News Bible)
Don’t blame the Lord for your sin; the Lord does not cause what he hates.
(Sirach 15:11, Good News Bible)
The Lord is merciful, but he can also become angry. He can be overwhelming in his forgiveness or in his anger.
(Sirach 16:11, Good News Bible)
His punishment is as severe as his mercy is great.
(Sirach 16:12, Good News Bible)
The Lord is always aware of what people do; there is no way to hide from him.
(Sirach 17:15, Good News Bible)
The Lord is always watching what people do, everything they do is as clear as day to him.
(Sirach 17:19, Good News Bible)
Human kindness is as precious to him as life itself.
(Sirach 17:22)
The Lord will allow those who repent to return to him. He always gives encouragement to those who are losing hope.
(Sirach 17:24)
Come to the Lord, and leave your sins behind.
(Sirach 17:25, Good News Bible)
There is no way to comprehend the marvelous things the Lord has done.
(Sirach 18:6, Good News Bible)
What is man? Of what use is he? The good that he does - the evil that he does - what does it all mean?
(Sirach 18:8, Good News Bible)
The Lord shows compassion for all humanity.
(Sirach 18:13)
It is stupid to be unkind and insulting.
(Sirach 18:18, Good News Bible)
Know what you are talking about before you speak.
(Sirach 18:19, Good News Bible)
When you have sinned, show repentance.
(Sirach 18:21, Good News Bible)
When you have all you want, think what it is like to be hungry, what it is like to be poor.
(Sirach 18:25, Good News Bible)
If you sin, you are hurting yourself.
(Sirach 19:4, Good News Bible)
Don’t believe everything you hear.
(Sirach 19:15, Good News Bible)
Admit when you are wrong.
(Sirach 20:3, Good News Bible)
If you refuse to accept correction you are committing a sin.
(Sirach 21:6, Good News Bible)
It is a pleasure to hear what intelligent people have to say.
(Sirach 21:16, Good News Bible)
If you hurt a person deeply, you will discover his true feelings.
(Sirach 22:19, Good News Bible)
Fumes and smoke appear before the flames do; insults come before violence.
(Sirach 22:24, Good News Bible)
Sexual passion is a hot, blazing fire that cannot be put out at will; it can only burn itself out.
(Sirach 23:16, Good News Bible)
He knew everything before he created the world.
(Sirach 23:20)
Come to me, all you that want me,
and eat your fill of my fruit.
(Sirach 24:19, Good News Bible)
Eat me, and you will hunger for more;
drink me, and you will thirst for more.
(Sirach 24:21, Good News Bible)
The first man ever created never knew Wisdom completely, and the last person on earth will be no more successful.
(Sirach 24:28, Good News Bible)
There are three things in which I take special delight - things that are beautiful to the Lord and man alike:
brothers who get along with each other,
neighbors who are friends,
and a married couple who are happy together.
There are three kinds of people I cannot stand, whose behavior I find highly offensive:
poor people who are arrogant,
rich people who lie,
and foolish old men who commit adultery.
(Sirach 25:1-2, Good News Bible)
I will tell you about ten kinds of people that I feel fortunate to know, especially fortunate in the case of the tenth:
someone who takes pride I his children,
someone who lives to see his enemies fall,
a man fortunate enough to have an understanding wife,
a married couple who are well-matched,
a person who doesn’t have go work for someone less competent than himself,
someone fortunate enough to have a real friend,
a person that people are happy to listen to,
and the rally great one:
someone who is wise.
But the greatest one of all is the person who fears the Lord.
(Sirach 25:7-10, Good News Bible)
No wound is as serious as wounded love. No troubles are as serious as the troubles that women cause.
(Sirach 25:13, Good News Bible)
No anger is deadlier than the anger of a woman.
(Sirach 25:15, Good News Bible)
Compared with the troubles caused by a woman, any other trouble looks small.
(Sirach 25:19, Good News Bible)
Sin began with a woman, and we must all die because of her
(Sirach 25, 24, Good News Bible)
There are fur things that scare me: vicious rumors sp4read around town, a gathering mob, false accusations - these are all worse than death. But a woman jealous of another woman causes heartache and grief; her tongue lashes out at everyone.
(Sirach 26:5-6, Good News Bible)
There are two things that make me sad, and a third that makes me angry:
a soldier who has become poor,
intelligent people who are not respected,
and a righteous person who turns to evil.
(Sirach 26:28, Good News Bible)
Every salesman is guilty of sin.
(Sirach 26:29)
Sin waits for those looking for a chance to sin.
(Sirach 27:10)
Respect your friends, and keep faith with them.
(Sirach 27:17)
The Lord is taking note of your sins, and if you take vengeance on someone, the Lord will take vengeance on you. But if you forgive someone who has wronged you, your sins will be forgiven when you pray. You cannot expect the Lord to pardon you while you are holding a grudge against someone else. You yourself are a sinner, and if you won’t forgive another person, you have no right to pray that the Lord will forgive your sins. If you cannot get rid of your anger, you have no hope of forgiveness - you are only a human being. Think about it! Some day you will die, and your body will decay. So give up hate and live by the Lord’s commands, the commands in the covenant of the Most High. Instead of getting upset over your neighbor’s faults, overlook them.
(Sirach 28:1-7, Good News Bible)
Be kind enough to lend to your neighbor when he needs help.
(Sirach 29:1, Good News Bible)
Be understanding with those who are poor.
(Sirach 29:8, Good News Bible)
The Lord has commanded us to help the poor; don’t refuse them the help they need.
(Sirach 29:9, Good News Bible)
Use your wealth as the Most High has commanded; this will do you more good than keeping your money for yourself.
(Sirach 29:11, Good News Bible)
The necessities of life are water, food, clothing, and a home where you can have privacy.
(Sirach 29:21, Good News Bible)
Be happy with what you have.
(Sirach 29:23, Good News Bible)
Money is a trap for those who are fascinated by it.
(Sirach 31:7, Good News Bible)
Be moderate in everything you do.
(Sirach 31:22, Good News Bible)
Don’t forget to thank your Creator for letting you enjoy so many good things.
(Sirach 32:13, Good News Bible)
Never do anything without thinking it through, and once you have done something, don’t look back and wish you had done something else.
(Sirach 32:18-19)
Don’t be too sure of yourself, even when the way looks easy.
(Sirach 32:21, Good News Bible)
Every human being was made from the earth, just as Adam was. But the Lord, in his wisdom, made them all different and gave them different tasks.
(Sirach 33:10-11, Good News Bible)
Just as clay is in the potter’s hands for him to shape as he pleases, so we are in the hands of our Creator for him to do with as he wishes.
(Sirach 33:13, Good News Bible)
Good is the opposite of evil, life is the opposite of death, and sin is the opposite of devotion to the Lord.
(Sirach 33:14, Good News Bible)
Never, as long as you live, give anyone power over you.
(Sirach 33:19, Good News Bible)
Don’t be too severe with anyone, and never be unfair.
(Sirach 33:29, Good News Bible)
Dreams, divination, and omens are all nonsense. You see in them only what you want to see.
(Sirach 34:5, Good News Bible)
You can’t know much if you haven’t experienced much.
(Sirach 34:10, Good News Bible)
People who fear the Lord are fortunate, because they know where they can look for help.
(Sirach 34:15. Good News Bible)
It is murder to deprive someone of his living or to heat an employee of his wages.
(Sirach 34:22, Good News Bible)
Serve the Lord willingly, and the Lord will accept you.
(Sirach 35:16)
The grief caused when a close friendship turns sour is as bad as death.
(Sirach 37:2, Good News Bible)
Don’t ask a woman for advice about a rival of hers,
a coward about war,
a merchant about a bargain,
a buyer about selling,
a stingy person about gratitude,
a cruel person about kindness,
a lazy person about finishing a job,
a lazy slave about a difficult task.
Pay no attention to any advice they may give you.
(Sirach 37:11, Good News Bible)
Pray to the Most High that he will show you the right thing to do.
(Sirach 37:15, Good News Bible)
There is no end to the activities of the Lord.
(Sirach 38:8)
Don’t lose yourself in sorrow.
(Sirach 38:20)
The basic needs of life are these:
water, fire, iron, and salt,
flour, honey, and milk,
wine, clothing, and oil
(Sirach 39:26, Good News Bible)
Everything made by the Lord is good.
(Sirach 39:33 / 1 Timothy 4:4)
Everything that comes from the earth goes back to the earth, just as all water flows into the sea.
(Sirach 40:11, Good News Bible)
Acts of kindness and charity are as lasting as eternity.
(Sirach 40:17, Good News Bible)
Fear of the Lord is like a rich garden of blessings; you could jot want a more glorious shelter.
(Sirach 40:27, Good News Bible)
If you have to depend on someone else for your food, you are not really living your ow life. You pollute yourself by accepting food from another. Begging is torture to the soul of any sensitive person.
(Sirach 40:29, Good News Bible)
Do not be afraid of death’s decree. Remember that it came to those before you and will come to those after you. The Lord has decreed it for every living creature. Who are you to object to what the Most High wishes? In the world of the dead no one will are whether you lived ten years, a hundred, or a thousand.
(Sirach 41:3-4, Good News Bible)
What comes into being from nothing will return to nothing.
(Sirach 41:10, Good News Bible)
My children, do as I teach you and live at peace.
(Sirach 41:14)
It is possible to sin by giving in to other people too much.
(Sirach 42:1)
The words of the Lord brought his works into being.
(Sirach 42:15, Good News Bible)
The Most High knows everything that can be known.
(Sirach 42:18, Good News Bible)
Nothing can be added to him,
and nothing taken away.
he needs no one to give him advice.
(Sirach 42:21, Good News Bible)
Everything completes the goodness of something else.
(Sirach 42:25)
The Lord is everything. How can we find the power to praise him? He is greater than all his creation.
(Sirach 42:28)
Though you do your best to praise him, he is greater than you can ever express
(Sirach 42:30)
No one has seen him, no one can describe him, no one can praise him as he deserves.
(Sirach 42:31)
How can we find the power to praise him?
He is greater than all his creation.
The Lord is awesome in is greatness;
his power in overwhelming.
Though you do your best to praise him,
he is greater than you can ever express.
(Sirach 43:28-30, Good News Bible)
No one has seen him, no one can describe him;
No one can praise him as he deserves.
(Sirach 43:31, Good News Bible
We know only a fraction of your works.
(Sirach 43:32)
Adam’s glory was above that of any other living being.
(Sirach 49:16, Good News Bible)
I received Wisdom as soon as I began listening for her.
(Sirach 51:16, Good News Bible)
The Lord gave me a gift for words and I have used it in his praise.
(Sirach 51:22, Good News Bible)
Come to me, all you who need instruction, and learn in my school.
(Sirach 51:23, Good News Bible)
It costs nothing to be wise.
(Sirach 51:25, Good News Bible)
Be joyfully grateful for the Lord’s mercy, and never be ashamed to praise him.
(Sirach 51:29, Good News Bible)