Sirach
Chapter 33
Various Proverbs
Evil will not approach those who fear the Lord; if they are in danger, they will be rescued.
The wise person never departs from the law; he who only pretends to keep it is like a storm-tossed boat.
An intelligent person has faith in the law, which for him is as trustworthy as an oracle.
If you want people to listen to you, prepare what you have to say; recall what you have learned before you answer.
A cartwheel! That is what the feelings of a fool are like. his mind resembles a turning axle.
A mocking friend is like a wild horse, neighing when anyone rides him.
Oppositions
Why is one day considered more sacred than another, when the sun’s light shines on every day of the year?
By the Lord’s decision, they were made different; he arranged the seasons and feasts.
Some of these he chose to make holy, while others he made ordinary days.
All human beings come from clay, just as Adam himself was formed.
In his infinite wisdom, the Lord created each person uniquely and diversified their conditions.
Some he made holy, keeping them close to himself. Others he cursed and humbled, removing them from where they were.
Just as clay in the potter’s hand can be molded as he pleases, so are all people in the hands of the Creator, to be dealt with as he sees fit.
Good is the opposite of evil; life, of death; and the sinner, of the upright.
Consider all the works of the Most High, and you will see how they come in pairs, through opposites.
The Author
As for me, I have been the last to stay watch, like a gleaner following the grape-pickers.
By the blessing of the Lord, I have taken the lead and, like a grape picker, I have filled the winepress.
Note that I have worked not only for myself, but also for all who seek instruction.
Hear me, rulers of the people, leaders of the assembly, hear!
Testaments
Never give power over yourself to a son, wife, brother, or friend during your lifetime. Do not transfer your property to others in case you regret it and have to beg for its return.
As long as you live and there is breath in you, do not give your power to anyone.
It is better for your children to depend on you than for you to rely on them.
Be in control of everything you do; do not let others tarnish your reputation.
Wait until the end of your life, until death is near, to distribute your inheritance.
Treatment of Servants
Fodder, stick, and burdens are meant for the donkey; bread, correction, and work are for the slave.
Put your slave to work, and you will have peace. Let him rest, and he will want to be free.
Yoke and harness will bend the neck. For a criminal slave, there are torture and stocks.
Send him to work, or he will be idle, and idleness teaches many evils.
Give him work suited to him; if he does not obey, put his feet in chains.
But do not be overly demanding with anyone, and do nothing without careful consideration.
Do you have a slave? Treat him as you would yourself, for you bought him with blood.
Do you have a slave? Treat him like a brother. You need him as much as you need yourself.
If you mistreat him and he escapes, where will you go to find him?
Commentaries
Various Proverbs.
Knowledge of the Law and, in general, knowledge of the Word of the Lord enable a person to live a life free from misfortune—a happy life; on the other hand, ignoring or despising them is to walk in darkness or like a ship adrift. Living in truth results from knowing the Word of God, and we already know that the truth sets us free (cf. Jn 8:32).
Oppositions.
Reflection based on observation. For Ben Sirach, all men are like pieces of clay in the hands of the Creator (10), but why “does he bless and exalt some, consecrate and draw close to himself, while he curses and humbles others and casts them out of his presence” (12f)? Ancient man indeed attributed everything—absolutely everything—to God, given the concept of God’s sovereignty. Still, it is also crucial to note man’s freedom to accept or reject God’s plan. Let us affirm that God is sovereign, that he is the absolute lord of life, and that he has given man freedom. When man uses this freedom in fidelity to his Creator, his works and entire life reflect God’s life; but when he abuses that freedom, his actions reflect what God is not nor what man is in God’s plan. The danger here is that these actions are attributed to God simply because “God does not oppose” this anti-plan openly and directly. The truth is that God opposes and rejects all injustice. There is Scripture, there is Jesus, and we must listen to them!
The Author.
Ben Sirach compares himself to a grape-gatherer who collects what the harvester leaves behind, symbolizing his dedication to studying and deepening his people’s traditions. Toward the end of his life, he can claim that this is one of his greatest accomplishments—the experience and wisdom he has gained are intended to benefit others, especially future generations, which his tireless efforts support. Wisdom, and ultimately all that is good and valuable in the human spirit, is truly meaningful only when it serves others.
Testaments.
According to these verses, reputation, independence, and autonomy are interconnected. This teaching stems from the fear of ending up having to serve someone else’s will as a slave. This extreme was very accessible given the socioeconomic conditions of the time. However, the author not only refers to this situation; he also warns the wise person of the future to avoid falling into economic dependence or relinquishing his role as head of the household. Doing so was also considered contrary to the reputation of a true patriarch or “paterfamilias,” as he was called during the Roman Empire.
Treatment of Servants.
While these instructions might seem more nuanced when applied to a man who owns only one servant, they still reflect a harsh perspective and echo what was said in the previous passage—a view of social order in which only the masters have rights. At the same time, slaves were almost seen as just another type of working animal. It’s important to emphasize that just because passages like this appear in the Bible, it doesn’t mean they are God’s will; as with every biblical passage, we must interpret and test them against the standards of justice, which are part of God’s divine nature. Surely, God disapproves of this instruction, especially considering that he does not endorse slavery or the domination of some people over others.