Sirach
Chapter 27
Many sin for the love of gain; he who desires riches silences his conscience.
Just as a stake is set between two stones, so sin wedges itself between buying and selling.
The house of anyone who does not stay firmly in the fear of the Lord will soon be knocked down.
Knowing Men
When a sieve is shaken, the dirt falls through; similarly, a man’s flaws become evident when he starts to speak.
The kiln assesses the potter’s craftsmanship; a man is judged by his words.
A well-cared-for tree is reflected in its fruits, so a man’s feelings can be seen in what he says.
Praise no one before they have spoken, as this is the real test.
Speaking Well
If you pursue righteousness, you will achieve it and wear it like a festive garment.
Birds associate with their own kind, so, too, does truth greet those who are faithful.
The lion lurks in wait for its prey; so, too, does sin lie in wait for those who do wrong.
The wise man’s conversation always follows wisdom. In contrast, the fool changes as the moon does.
When among fools, be sparing with your time; among thoughtful people, be generous with it.
The conversation of fools is hateful; their laughter is coarse and loud.
No one can tolerate those who swear all the time. Their quarrels make you want to cover your ears.
Blood is spilled when proud men quarrel, and their insults are painful to hear.
Keeping Secrets
He who betrays a secret is no longer trusted; he will no longer find reliable friends.
Love your friend and be loyal; if you have revealed his secrets, do not go with him anymore.
It is like losing some of your relatives: his friendship with you has died.
Like a bird, you have let your friend go; you will not get him back. When you open your hand, the bird flies off;
do not chase after him: he is far away and has fled like a gazelle from the trap.
For a wound can be bandaged and an insult forgiven, but if you betray a secret, there is no hope.
False Friend
The man who winks an eye is up to no good; no one can persuade him to change.
He shows kindness to your face, praising your words, but behind your back, he speaks differently and distorts your words.
I dislike many things, but nothing more than this man; the Lord also hates and curses him.
You Reap What You Sow
When one tosses a stone into the air, it falls back on his head; whoever deals a treacherous blow wounds himself.
He who digs a pit will fall into it; he who sets a snare will be caught in it.
If you do evil, evil will befall you, and you will not know where it comes from.
The proud man uses mockery and insults, but vengeance waits for him like a lion.
Those who gloat over the downfall of good men will fall into the trap; suffering will consume them before they die.
Revenge
Grudge and wrath, these are also abominations in which sinful people excel.
Commentaries
Merchants.
Based on his experience, the author assumes that merchants and traders are not immune to injustice. It appears that these figures have never enjoyed a good reputation. Still, the problem lies not in being a merchant, but in letting oneself be driven by the desire for profit (27:1). However, the key to avoiding injustice is given by the author in 27:3: one must be steadfast and diligent in fearing the Lord. Thus, the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom but also the fundamental principle of justice.
Knowing Men.
Using the image of precious metals that must be sifted or that of a tree that bears good fruit when it is well planted, Ben Sirach describes the person who reveals himself through his actions and words. A man’s language and reasoning show his human qualities.
Speaking Well.
This continues the previous idea. A man should always seek sincerity and practice it at all times. The behavior of a sincere man attracts others of the same quality and seeks the company of other sincere men; his external actions differ from those of the foolish man, whose company should be avoided.
Keeping Secrets.
Once again, he highlights the value of friendship, which is defined by fidelity and loyalty. When a friend opens up to us, they usually have thought it through carefully and do so out of trust. If we, either through carelessness or for any reason, make our friend’s confidences public, isn’t that the worst offense against friendship? Will our friend trust us again? Today, it remains just as important to foster genuine friendships built on mutual respect and loyalty.
False Friend.
Continuing with the theme of friendship, Ben Sirach emphasizes that some people behave one way toward us but change when we turn away; such individuals are untrustworthy, as the author states, and we should avoid their company. It’s important to make sure they don’t say the same about us.
You Reap What You Sow.
From observation, we see that the evil we wish upon others always comes back to us; it’s like throwing a stone upward: it falls on us. That is why the teaching, “Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself” (Tob 4:15; Jesus puts it in favorable terms: Mt 7:12; Lk 6:31), is correct, and it is also wrong to rejoice in others’ misfortune, for tomorrow we may be the ones who suffer the same fate.
Revenge.
It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and mercy toward others. This reflects the core of one of the petitions in the Lord’s Prayer: “forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us,” which is illustrated by one of the most beautiful parables about the forgiveness we constantly need and must also continually extend to our neighbor (cf. Mt 6:12.14f).