Sirach
Chapter 21
Sin: Consequences and Remedy
Have you sinned, my son? Do not do it again and ask for forgiveness for your past sins.
Escape from sin as you would from a snake; if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like those of a lion, and it destroys human lives.
All evil is like a double-edged sword that inflicts wounds beyond healing.
Violence and pride bring down the rich; the arrogant man’s house will be toppled.
The prayer of the poor reaches the ears of the Lord, and his judgment will not delay.
Whoever hates correction walks the way of sinners; he who fears the Lord turns to Him in his heart.
The chatterer is known everywhere, but the wise man recognizes his weakness.
Building a house with borrowed money is like gathering stones for your own tomb.
The gathering of sinners is like a pile of ropes that will catch fire and burn.
The path of sinners is well paved but ends in the fiery abyss.
He who keeps the Law controls his thoughts; the fear of the Lord brings wisdom.
Foolish and Wise
The man who is not clever will never learn, but there is a cleverness that can lead to bitterness.
The wise man’s knowledge spreads like a flood, and his advice flows like a spring.
The fool’s heart is like broken glass that cannot hold any teaching.
If an educated man hears a wise saying, he values it and adds something of his own. If a lazy person hears it, he gets annoyed and tosses it aside.
The fool’s talk weighs like a heavy load, while the wise man’s words bring comfort.
The crowd waits for the wise man’s words; everyone takes to heart whatever he says.
The fool’s wisdom is like a house in ruins; the fool’s knowledge is just nonsense.
To the fool, instruction is like handcuffs and shackles.
The fool laughs out loud, but the wise man simply smiles quietly.
Instruction is like a golden ornament to the clever man, like a bracelet on his right arm.
The fool rushes inside a house right away, but an experienced man would not be so bold.
The fool looks through the door; the polite man stays outside.
Listening outside doors shows poor manners; a righteous man would be ashamed to do that.
Strangers speak thoughtlessly about everything, but wise men weigh their words carefully.
The fool’s heart is in his mouth, but the wise man’s words come from his heart.
When the godless man curses his enemy, the curse comes back on himself.
The slanderer damages himself and makes himself hated by everyone around him.
Commentaries
Sin: Consequences and Remedy.
A clear sign of wisdom is turning away from sin; before considering its effects, note that the text provides clues to what the author means by sin: injustice (3a.8), cruelty and arrogance (3b), contempt for correction (6), and boasting (7). These evils must be avoided because they are highly destructive; they are like a double-edged sword, harming not only those who succumb to them but also their fellow people. The passage concludes with the key advice: follow the Law that guides your thoughts and respect the Lord as the path to true wisdom.
Foolish and Wise.
Through a series of clear comparisons, Ben Sirach contrasts what it means to be foolish with what it means to be wise. These contrasts mainly relate to their way of being and their outlook on life (12-17). The fool is grouped with the wicked (27), the gossip (28), and the sluggard (22:1ff). Such people should be avoided like a contaminated stone.