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?
Ben Sira 33
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 33
1 No evil can harm the one who fears the Lord;
through trials, again and again he is rescued.(A)
2 Whoever hates the law is without wisdom,
and is tossed about like a boat in a storm.
3 The prudent trust in the word of the Lord,
and the law is dependable for them as a divine oracle.[a]
4 Prepare your words and then you will be listened to;
draw upon your training, and give your answer.
5 Like the wheel of a cart is the mind of a fool,
and his thoughts like a turning axle.
6 A mocking friend is like a stallion
that neighs, no matter who the rider may be.
7 [b]Why is one day more important than another,
when the same sun lights up every day of the year?
8 By the Lord’s knowledge they are kept distinct;
and he designates the seasons and feasts.(B)
9 Some he exalts and sanctifies,
and others he lists as ordinary days.(C)
10 Likewise, all people are of clay,
and from earth humankind was formed;(D)
11 In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them,
and he designated their different ways.
12 Some he blessed and exalted,
and some he sanctified and drew to himself.
Others he cursed and brought low,
and expelled them from their place.
13 Like clay in the hands of a potter,
to be molded according to his pleasure,
So are people in the hands of their Maker,
to be dealt with as he decides.(E)
14 As evil contrasts with good, and death with life,
so are sinners in contrast with the godly.(F)
15 See now all the works of the Most High:
they come in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
16 Now I am the last to keep vigil,[c]
like a gleaner following the grape-pickers;
17 Since by the Lord’s blessing I have made progress
till like a grape-picker I have filled my wine press,
18 Consider that not for myself only have I labored,
but for all who seek instruction.
Property and Servants[d]
19 Listen to me, leaders of the people;
rulers of the congregation, pay heed!(G)
20a Let neither son nor wife, neither brother nor friend,
have power over you as long as you live.
21 While breath of life is still in you,
let no one take your place.
20b Do not give your wealth to another,
lest you must plead for support yourself.
22 Far better that your children plead with you
than that you should look for a handout from them.
23 Keep control over all your affairs;
bring no stain on your honor.
24 When your few days reach their limit,
at the time of death distribute your inheritance.
25 Fodder and whip and loads for a donkey;
food, correction and work for a slave.
26 Make a slave work, and he will look for rest;
let his hands be idle and he will seek to be free.(H)
27 The yoke and harness will bow the neck;
and for a wicked slave, punishment in the stocks.
28 Force him to work that he be not idle,
29 for idleness teaches much mischief.
30 Put him to work, as is fitting for him;
and if he does not obey, load him with chains.
But never lord it over any human being,
and do nothing unjust.
31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,
for you have acquired him with your life’s blood;
If you have but one slave, deal with him as a brother,
for you need him as you need your life.(I)
32 If you mistreat him and he runs away,
33 in what direction will you look for him?
Footnotes
- 33:3 Oracle: as the answer given through the Urim and Thummim to the high priest is true, so the law proves itself true to those who obey it. Cf. Ex 28:30; Nm 27:21.
- 33:7–15 An important doctrine of Ben Sira is his view of the polarities in creation and history; cf. v. 15; 42:24. Contrasts observable in the physical universe as well as in the moral order serve the purposes of divine wisdom (vv. 5–9). All creatures are like clay in the hands of their Maker—the fool and the wise, the sinner and the just (vv. 10–15). This does not imply that some are created to be sinners: God is not the author of wickedness. Divine determinism and human freedom are a mysterious mix.
- 33:16–18 Ben Sira refers to himself as the most recent of the biblical writers who have endeavored to present true wisdom to their readers.
- 33:19–33 Public officials should reject every influence that would restrict their freedom in the management of their affairs. They must make their own household subservient to them rather than be subservient to it (vv. 19–24). Slaves are to be given food and work and correction but never to be treated unjustly (vv. 25–30). Great care should be taken of good slaves (vv. 31–33).
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