Sirach 23:16-27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Concerning Sexual Sins
16 Two kinds of individuals multiply sins,
and a third incurs wrath.
Hot passion that blazes like a fire
will not be quenched until it burns itself out;
those who commit incest with their near of kin
will never cease until the fire burns them up.(A)
17 To the sexually immoral all bread is sweet;
he will never weary until he dies.(B)
18 The one who sins against his marriage bed
says to himself, “Who can see me?
Darkness surrounds me, the walls hide me,
and no one sees me. Why should I worry?
The Most High will not remember my sins.”(C)
19 His fear is confined to human eyes,
and he does not realize that the eyes of the Lord
are ten thousand times brighter than the sun;
they look upon every aspect of human behavior
and see into hidden corners.(D)
20 Before the universe was created, it was known to him,
and so it is since its completion.(E)
21 This man will be punished in the streets of the city,
and where he least suspects it he will be seized.(F)
22 So it is with a woman who leaves her husband
and presents him with an heir by another man.
23 For, first of all, she has disobeyed the law of the Most High;
second, she has committed an offense against her husband;
and third, through sexual immorality she has committed adultery
and brought forth children by another man.(G)
24 She herself will be brought before the assembly,
and her punishment will extend to her children.(H)
25 Her children will not take root,
and her branches will not bear fruit.(I)
26 She will leave behind an accursed memory,
and her disgrace will never be blotted out.
27 Those who survive her will recognize
that nothing is better than the fear of the Lord
and nothing sweeter than to heed the commandments of the Lord.[a](J)
Notas al pie
- 23.27 Other ancient authorities add as 23.28: It is a great honor to follow God, and to be received by him is long life.
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.