Sirach 7
Good News Translation
Miscellaneous Advice
1-2 If you do no wrong, no wrong will ever come to you. 3 Do not plow the ground to plant seeds of injustice; you may reap a bigger harvest than you expect.
4 Don't ask the Lord for a place of honor or ask the king for an important position. 5 Don't try to convince the Lord that you are righteous or make a show of your wisdom before the king. 6 Don't set your heart on being a judge, unless you have the strength of character it takes to put an end to injustice. If you let yourself be influenced by someone in a position of power, your integrity will be damaged. 7 Don't commit any crime against the general public, and don't disgrace yourself among your townspeople.
8 Don't commit the same sin twice. The punishment you get the first time ought to be enough.
9 Don't think that God Most High is going to take into account how very generous you are and so accept any offering you decide to make.
10 Never get tired of praying, and never miss a chance to give to the poor.
11 Don't laugh at someone who has been humiliated. It is the Lord who humbles a person, but the Lord also raises him up again.
12 Don't think up lies to tell about your friends. 13 Don't tell lies at all. It never does any good.
14 In an official assembly, don't get up and talk a lot of nonsense. And don't repeat yourself when you pray.
15 Don't try to avoid farm work or other hard labor; the Most High has given us these jobs to do.
16 Don't join up with a crowd of sinners; remember that the Lord's punishment is sure to come.
17 Be very humble, because the decay of death awaits us all.[a]
Relations with Others
18 Don't betray a friend for money. Don't betray a real friend for all the gold in the world.
19 Don't miss your chance to marry a wise and good woman. A gracious wife is worth more than gold.
20 Don't mistreat servants who do their work well, or employees who do their best for you.
21 (A)Show the same love to wise servants that you would show to yourself,[b] and let them have their freedom.
22 Take good care of any animals you own. If they make money for you, keep them.
23 If you have sons, educate them. Teach them self-discipline while they are young.
24 If you have daughters, keep them virtuous, and don't be too indulgent with them. 25 When you give your daughter in marriage, you have finished a great task, but give her to a sensible man.
26 If you have a good wife, do not divorce her, but do not trust yourself to someone you don't love.
27 (B)Honor your father with all your heart, and never forget how your mother suffered when you were born. 28 Remember that you owe your life to them. How can you ever repay them for all they have done for you?
29 Fear the Lord with all your heart, and have respect for his priests. 30 Love your Creator with all your strength, and give his ministers your support. 31 Honor the Lord and respect the priests. Supply them with what you have been commanded to give: the first produce, the offering for sin, the shoulder of the sacrificial animal—all the required sacrifices and offerings.
32 Give your help to the poor, and the Lord will give you his perfect blessing. 33 Be generous to every living soul, and be gracious to the memory of the dead. 34 Show sympathy to those who have lost a loved one, and mourn with them. 35 Do not hesitate to visit the sick. You will be loved for things like these. 36 Whatever you do, remember that some day you must die. As long as you keep this in mind, you will never sin.
Footnotes
- Sirach 7:17 Hebrew the decay...all; Greek the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.
- Sirach 7:21 Hebrew Show the same love...yourself; Greek Show love to a wise servant.
Sirach 7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Miscellaneous Advice
7 Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.(A)
2 Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
3 Do[a] not sow in the furrows of injustice,
and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.(B)
4 Do not seek from the Lord high office
or the seat of honor from the king.
5 Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord
or display your wisdom before the king.(C)
6 Do not seek to become a judge,
or you may be unable to root out injustice;
perhaps you will fear the powerful
and so mar your integrity.(D)
7 Commit no offense against the public,
and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
8 Do not commit a sin twice;
even for one you will not go unpunished.(E)
9 Do not say, “He will consider the great number of my gifts,
and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.”
10 Do not grow weary when you pray;
do not neglect to give alms.(F)
11 Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit,
for there is one who humbles and exalts.(G)
12 Do not devise[b] a lie against your brother
or do the same to a friend.
13 Refuse to utter any lie,
for it is a habit that results in no good.
14 Do not babble in the company of the elders,
and do not repeat yourself when you pray.(H)
15 Do not hate hard labor
or farm work, which was created by the Most High.(I)
16 Do not enroll in the ranks of sinners;
remember that retribution will not delay.
17 Humble yourself to the utmost,
for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.[c](J)
Relations with Others
18 Do not exchange a friend for money
or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.(K)
19 Do not dismiss[d] a wise and good wife,
for her charm is worth more than gold.(L)
20 Do not abuse slaves who work faithfully
or hired laborers who give of themselves.(M)
21 Let your soul love intelligent slaves;[e]
do not withhold from them their freedom.(N)
22 Do you have cattle? Look after them;
if they are profitable to you, keep them.
23 Do you have children? Discipline them,
and make them obedient[f] from their youth.(O)
24 Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,[g]
and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.[h](P)
25 Give a daughter in marriage, and you complete a great task,
but give her to a sensible man.
26 Do you have a wife who pleases you?[i] Do not divorce her,
but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.
27 With all your heart honor your father,
and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.(Q)
28 Remember that it was of your parents[j] you were born;
how will you repay what they have given to you?
29 With all your soul fear the Lord
and revere his priests.
30 With all your might love your Maker,
and do not neglect his ministers.(R)
31 Fear the Lord and honor the priest,
and give him his portion, as you have been commanded:
the first fruits, the purification offering, the gift of the shoulders,
the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.(S)
32 Stretch out your hand to the poor,
so that your blessing may be complete.
33 Give graciously to all the living;
do not withhold kindness even from the dead.(T)
34 Do not lag behind those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn.(U)
35 Do not hesitate to visit the sick,
because for such deeds you will be loved.(V)
36 In all you do, remember the end of your life,
and then you will never sin.(W)
Ben Sira 7
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 7
Conduct Toward God and Neighbor[a]
1 Do no evil, and evil will not overtake you;[b]
2 avoid wickedness, and it will turn away from you.
3 Do not sow in the furrows of injustice,
lest you harvest it sevenfold.(A)
4 Do not seek from God authority
or from the king a place of honor.
5 Do not parade your righteousness before the Lord,
and before the king do not flaunt your wisdom.(B)
6 Do not seek to become a judge
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.
7 Do not be guilty of any evil before the city court
or disgrace yourself before the assembly.
8 Do not plot to repeat a sin;
even for one, you will not go unpunished.
9 Do not say, “He will appreciate my many gifts;
the Most High God will accept my offerings.”(C)
10 Do not be impatient in prayer
or neglect almsgiving.
11 Do not ridicule the embittered;
Remember: there is One who exalts and humbles.[c]
12 Do not plot mischief against your relative
or against your friend and companion.
13 Refuse to tell lie after lie,
for it never results in good.
14 Do not babble in the assembly of the elders
or repeat the words of your prayer.[d](D)
15 Do not hate hard work;
work was assigned by God.(E)
16 Do not esteem yourself more than your compatriots;
remember, his wrath will not delay.
17 More and more, humble your pride;
what awaits mortals is worms.[e](F)
Duties of Family Life, Religion and Charity[f]
18 Do not barter a friend for money,
or a true brother for the gold of Ophir.[g]
19 Do not reject a sensible wife;
a gracious wife is more precious than pearls.
20 Do not mistreat a servant who works faithfully,
or laborers who devote themselves to their task.(G)
21 Love wise servants as yourself;
do not refuse them freedom.[h]
22 Do you have livestock? Look after them;
if they are dependable, keep them.
23 Do you have sons? Correct them
and cure their stubbornness[i] in their early youth.(H)
24 Do you have daughters? Keep them chaste,
and do not be indulgent to them.(I)
25 Give your daughter in marriage, and a worry comes to an end;
but give her to a sensible man.
26 Do you have a wife? Do not mistreat her,
but do not trust the wife you hate.
27 With your whole heart honor your father;
your mother’s birth pangs do not forget.(J)
28 Remember, of these parents you were born;
what can you give them for all they gave you?
29 With all your soul fear God
and revere his priests.
30 With all your strength love your Maker
and do not neglect his ministers.
31 Honor God and respect the priest;
give him his portion as you have been commanded:(K)
First fruits and contributions,
his portion of victims and holy offerings.[j]
32 To the poor also extend your hand,
that your blessing may be complete.
33 Give your gift to all the living,
and do not withhold your kindness from the dead.[k]
34 Do not avoid those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn.(L)
35 Do not hesitate to visit the sick,
because for such things you will be loved.(M)
36 In whatever you do, remember your last days,
and you will never sin.[l]
Footnotes
- 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.
Sirach 7
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Miscellaneous Advice
7 Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.
2 Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
3 Do[a] not sow in the furrows of injustice,
and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
4 Do not seek from the Lord high office,
or the seat of honour from the king.
5 Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,
or display your wisdom before the king.
6 Do not seek to become a judge,
or you may be unable to root out injustice;
you may be partial to the powerful,
and so mar your integrity.
7 Commit no offence against the public,
and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
8 Do not commit a sin twice;
not even for one will you go unpunished.
9 Do not say, ‘He will consider the great number of my gifts,
and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.’
10 Do not grow weary when you pray;
do not neglect to give alms.
11 Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit,
for there is One who humbles and exalts.
12 Do not devise[b] a lie against your brother,
or do the same to a friend.
13 Refuse to utter any lie,
for it is a habit that results in no good.
14 Do not babble in the assembly of the elders,
and do not repeat yourself when you pray.
15 Do not hate hard labour
or farm work, which was created by the Most High.
16 Do not enrol in the ranks of sinners;
remember that retribution does not delay.
17 Humble yourself to the utmost,
for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.[c]
Relations with Others
18 Do not exchange a friend for money,
or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.
19 Do not dismiss[d] a wise and good wife,
for her charm is worth more than gold.
20 Do not abuse slaves who work faithfully,
or hired labourers who devote themselves to their task.
21 Let your soul love intelligent slaves;[e]
do not withhold from them their freedom.
22 Do you have cattle? Look after them;
if they are profitable to you, keep them.
23 Do you have children? Discipline them,
and make them obedient[f] from their youth.
24 Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,[g]
and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.
25 Give a daughter in marriage, and you complete a great task;
but give her to a sensible man.
26 Do you have a wife who pleases you?[h] Do not divorce her;
but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.
27 With all your heart honour your father,
and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.
28 Remember that it was of your parents[i] you were born;
how can you repay what they have given to you?
29 With all your soul fear the Lord,
and revere his priests.
30 With all your might love your Maker,
and do not neglect his ministers.
31 Fear the Lord and honour the priest,
and give him his portion, as you have been commanded:
the first fruits, the guilt-offering, the gift of the shoulders,
the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.
32 Stretch out your hand to the poor,
so that your blessing may be complete.
33 Give graciously to all the living;
do not withhold kindness even from the dead.
34 Do not avoid those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn.
35 Do not hesitate to visit the sick,
because for such deeds you will be loved.
36 In all you do, remember the end of your life,
and then you will never sin.
Footnotes
- Sirach 7:3 Gk My child, do
- Sirach 7:12 Heb: Gk plough
- Sirach 7:17 Heb for the expectation of mortals is worms
- Sirach 7:19 Heb: Gk deprive yourself of
- Sirach 7:21 Heb Love a wise slave as yourself
- Sirach 7:23 Gk bend their necks
- Sirach 7:24 Gk body
- Sirach 7:26 Heb Syr lack who pleases you
- Sirach 7:28 Gk them
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