Font Size
Wisdom of Ben Sira 33:23-25
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 33:23-25
New Catholic Bible
23 Be in control in everything that you do,
and allow no stain to tarnish your reputation.
24 Only on the day that your life draws to a close,
at the hour of death, should you distribute your inheritance.
How To Treat Slaves[a]
25 To a donkey belong fodder, the stick, and burdens;
to slaves belong bread, discipline, and work.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 33:25 This text reflects the situation of one epoch and the harsh ideas that ruled all education in antiquity. In this environment, the author tempers the harshness of the customs, for he recognizes a justice toward slaves to save them from the arbitrariness of the master (Ex 21:1-6, 26-27; Lev 25:46), and the last verse expresses a discreet note of humanity.
For the attitude toward slavery in the New Testament, see Eph 6:9; Col 4:1; Philem 16.
