Sirach 33
Good News Translation
33 1 No evil will ever come to a person who fears the Lord; however often danger comes, the Lord will come to the rescue. 2 A person who has no use for the Law doesn't have good sense, and anyone who is insincere about it is going to be tossed about like a boat in a storm. 3 (A)If you are wise, you will believe in the Law; you will find it as reliable as the sacred lots.
4 Prepare what you are going to say and people will listen to you. Use what you have learned before you start talking. 5 A foolish person's mind works like a cartwheel, going round and round in circles. 6 A sarcastic friend is like a wild horse that neighs no matter who tries to ride him.
People Are Not Alike
7 Why are some days holier than others, even though the same sun rises on every day of the year? 8 It is because the Lord made them different by setting them apart as religious holidays and festivals. 9 He made some days holy and important, and made other days ordinary.
10 Every human being was made from the earth, just as Adam was. 11 But the Lord, in his wisdom, made them all different and gave them different tasks. 12 He blessed some, making them honored and holy, keeping them near him. Others he cursed, humbling them and removing them from their positions. 13 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.
14 Good is the opposite of evil, life is the opposite of death, and sin is the opposite of devotion to the Lord. 15 Think about it: the Most High has made everything in pairs, each thing the opposite of something else.
16 As for me, I have been the last to come on duty, as if going through vineyards to gather whatever the grape-pickers had left behind. But the Lord blessed me, and I did well,[a] like a grape-picker who has filled the wine press. 17 But I want you to know that I have not done all this work for myself alone, but for everyone who wants to learn. 18 Listen to me, all you great leaders! All you leaders of the assemblies, hear what I have to say!
Be Independent
19 Never, as long as you live, give anyone power over you—whether son, wife, brother, or friend. Don't give your property to anyone; you might change your mind and have to ask for it back. 20 As long as you have breath in your body, don't let anyone lead your life for you. 21 It is better that your children be dependent on you than the other way around. 22 Keep control over all that you do; don't let anything stain your reputation. 23 Wait until the last moment of your life, when you are breathing your last, and then divide your property among your heirs.
Treatment of Slaves
24 A donkey should be given its fodder and its burden, and it should be beaten. A slave should be given food and work, and should be disciplined. 25 If you make your slave work, you can set your mind at ease. If you don't keep him busy, he will be looking for freedom. 26 You can use a harness and yoke to tame an animal, and a slave can be tortured in the stocks. 27 Keep him at work, and don't let him be idle; idleness can only teach him how to make trouble. 28 Work is what he needs. If he won't obey you, put him in chains.
29 But don't be too severe with anyone, and never be unfair. 30 If you have a slave, treat him as you would want to be treated; you bought him with your hard-earned money. 31 Treat him as a brother; you need him as you need yourself. If you mistreat him and he runs away, where are you going to look for him?
Footnotes
- Sirach 33:16 did well; or overtook the others.
Sirach 33
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
33 No evil will befall the one who fears the Lord,
but in trials such a one will be rescued again and again.(A)
2 The wise will not hate the law,
but the one who is hypocritical about it is like a boat in a storm.(B)
3 The sensible person will trust in the law,[a]
for such a one the law is as dependable as a divine oracle.(C)
4 Prepare what to say, and then you will be listened to;
draw upon your training and give your answer.
5 The heart of a fool is like a cart wheel
and his thoughts like a turning axle.(D)
6 A mocking friend is like a stallion
that neighs no matter who the rider is.
Differences in Nature and in Humankind
7 Why is one day more important than another,
when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?(E)
8 By the Lord’s wisdom they were distinguished,
and he appointed the different seasons and festivals.(F)
9 Some days he exalted and hallowed,
and some he made ordinary days.(G)
10 All humans come from the ground,
and humankind[b] was created out of the dust.(H)
11 In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them
and appointed their different ways.(I)
12 Some he blessed and exalted,
and some he made holy and brought near to himself,
but some he cursed and brought low
and turned them out of their place.(J)
13 Like clay in the hand of the potter,
to be molded as he pleases,
so are humans in the hand of their Maker,
to be given whatever he decides.(K)
14 Good is the opposite of evil
and life the opposite of death;
so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.(L)
15 Look at all the works of the Most High;
they come in pairs, one the opposite of the other.(M)
16 Now I was the last to keep vigil;
I was like a gleaner following the grape-pickers;(N)
17 by the blessing of the Lord I arrived first,
and like a grape-picker I filled my winepress.(O)
18 Consider that I have not labored for myself alone
but for all who seek instruction.(P)
19 Hear me, you who are great among the people,
and you leaders of the congregation, pay heed!
The Advantage of Independence
20 To son or wife, to brother or friend,
do not give power over yourself, as long as you live,
and do not give your property to another,
in case you change your mind and must ask for it.
21 While you are still alive and have breath in you,
do not let anyone take your place.
22 For it is better that your children should ask from you
than that you should look to the hand of your children.
23 Excel in all that you do;
bring no stain upon your honor.
24 At the time when you end the days of your life,
in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance.(Q)
The Treatment of Slaves
25 [c]Fodder and a stick and burdens for a donkey;
bread and discipline and work for a slave.(R)
26 Set your slaves to work,[d] and you will find rest;
leave their hands idle, and they will seek liberty.
27 Yoke and strap will bow the neck,
and for wicked slaves there are racks and tortures.(S)
28 Put them to work in order that they may not be idle,
29 for idleness teaches much evil.(T)
30 Set them to work as is fitting for them,
and if they do not obey make their fetters heavy.
Do not be overbearing toward anyone,
and do nothing without deliberation.(U)
31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,
because you have bought him with blood.
If you have but one slave, treat him like a brother,
for you will need him as you need your life.(V)
32 If you ill-treat him and he leaves you and runs away,
33 which way will you go to seek him?
Sirach 33
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
33 No evil will befall someone who fears the Lord,
but in trials such a one will be rescued again and again.
2 The wise will not hate the law,
but someone who is hypocritical about it is like a boat in a storm.
3 The sensible person will trust in the law;
for such a one the law is as dependable as a divine oracle.
4 Prepare what to say, and then you will be listened to;
draw upon your training, and give your answer.
5 The heart of a fool is like a cartwheel,
and his thoughts like a turning axle.
6 A mocking friend is like a stallion
that neighs no matter who the rider is.
Differences in Nature and in Humankind
7 Why is one day more important than another,
when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?
8 By the Lord’s wisdom they were distinguished,
and he appointed the different seasons and festivals.
9 Some days he exalted and hallowed,
and some he made ordinary days.
10 All human beings come from the ground,
and humankind[a] was created out of the dust.
11 In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them
and appointed their different ways.
12 Some he blessed and exalted,
and some he made holy and brought near to himself;
but some he cursed and brought low,
and turned them out of their place.
13 Like clay in the hand of the potter,
to be moulded as he pleases,
so all are in the hand of their Maker,
to be given whatever he decides.
14 Good is the opposite of evil,
and life the opposite of death;
so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.
15 Look at all the works of the Most High;
they come in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
16 Now I was the last to keep vigil;
I was like a gleaner following the grape-pickers;
17 by the blessing of the Lord I arrived first,
and like a grape-picker I filled my wine press.
18 Consider that I have not laboured for myself alone,
but for all who seek instruction.
19 Hear me, you who are great among the people,
and you leaders of the congregation, pay heed!
The Advantage of Independence
20 To son or wife, to brother or friend,
do not give power over yourself, as long as you live;
and do not give your property to another,
in case you change your mind and must ask for it.
21 While you are still alive and have breath in you,
do not let anyone take your place.
22 For it is better that your children should ask from you
than that you should look to the hand of your children.
23 Excel in all that you do;
bring no stain upon your honour.
24 At the time when you end the days of your life,
in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance.
The Treatment of Slaves
25 Fodder and a stick and burdens for a donkey;
bread and discipline and work for a slave.
26 Set your slave to work, and you will find rest;
leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty.
27 Yoke and thong will bow the neck,
and for a wicked slave there are racks and tortures.
28 Put him to work, in order that he may not be idle,
29 for idleness teaches much evil.
30 Set him to work, as is fitting for him,
and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy.
Do not be overbearing towards anyone,
and do nothing unjust.
31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,
because you have bought him with blood.
If you have but one slave, treat him like a brother,
for you will need him as you need your life.
32 If you ill-treat him, and he leaves you and runs away,
33 which way will you go to seek him?
Footnotes
- Sirach 33:10 Heb: Gk Adam
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.