> [[sirach-03|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-05|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 4 ## Chapter 4 1 My child, do not mock the life of the poor; ^sirach-04-1 do not keep needy eyes waiting. 2 Do not grieve the hungry, ^sirach-04-2 nor anger the needy. 3 Do not aggravate a heart already angry, ^sirach-04-3 nor delay giving to the needy. 4 A beggar’s request do not reject; ^sirach-04-4 do not turn your face away from the poor. 5 From the needy do not turn your eyes; ^sirach-04-5 do not give them reason to curse you. 6 If in their pain they cry out bitterly, ^sirach-04-6 their Rock will hear the sound of their cry. ### Social Conduct 7 Endear yourself to the assembly; ^sirach-04-7 before the city’s ruler bow your head. 8 Give a hearing to the poor, ^sirach-04-8 and return their greeting with deference; 9 Deliver the oppressed from their oppressors; ^sirach-04-9 right judgment should not be repugnant to you. 10 Be like a father to orphans, ^sirach-04-10 and take the place of a husband to widows. Then God will call you his child, and he will be merciful to you and deliver you from the pit. ### The Rewards of Wisdom 11 Wisdom teaches her children ^sirach-04-11 and admonishes all who can understand her. 12 Those who love her love life; ^sirach-04-12 those who seek her out win the LORD’s favor. 13 Those who hold her fast will attain glory, ^sirach-04-13 and they shall abide in the blessing of the LORD. 14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One; ^sirach-04-14 those who love her the Lord loves. 15 “Whoever obeys me will judge nations; ^sirach-04-15 whoever listens to me will dwell in my inmost chambers. 16 If they remain faithful, they will possess me; ^sirach-04-16 their descendants too will inherit me. 17 “I will walk with them in disguise, ^sirach-04-17 and at first I will test them with trials. Fear and dread I will bring upon them and I will discipline them with my constraints. When their hearts are fully with me, 18 then I will set them again on the straight path ^sirach-04-18 and reveal my secrets to them. 19 But if they turn away from me, I will abandon them ^sirach-04-19 and deliver them over to robbers.” ### Sincerity and Justice 20 My son, watch for the right time; fear what is evil; ^sirach-04-20 do not bring shame upon yourself. 21 There is a shame heavy with guilt, ^sirach-04-21 and a shame that brings glory and respect. 22 Show no favoritism to your own discredit; ^sirach-04-22 let no one intimidate you to your own downfall. 23 Do not refrain from speaking at the proper time, ^sirach-04-23 and do not hide your wisdom; 24 For wisdom becomes known through speech, ^sirach-04-24 and knowledge through the tongue’s response. 25 Never speak against the truth, ^sirach-04-25 but of your own ignorance be ashamed. 26 Do not be ashamed to acknowledge your sins, ^sirach-04-26 and do not struggle against a rushing stream. 27 Do not abase yourself before a fool; ^sirach-04-27 do not refuse to do so before rulers. 28 Even to the death, fight for what is right, ^sirach-04-28 and the LORD will do battle for you. 29 Do not be haughty in your speech, ^sirach-04-29 or lazy and slack in your deeds. 30 Do not be like a lion at home, ^sirach-04-30 or sly and suspicious with your servants. 31 Do not let your hand be open to receive, ^sirach-04-31 but clenched when it is time to give. \* (4:1) Needy eyes: when the poor look for help; cf. [18:18]. \* (4:11] – [19) The Hebrew text in vv. [15] – [19] presents wisdom speaking in the first person, as in chap. [24]. The precious fruits of wisdom—life, favor, glory, blessings, God’s love—arouse desire for her (vv. [11] – [14]). Her disciples are like ministers (v. [14]) and judges (v. [15]), whose descendants have her for their heritage (v. [16]). They enjoy happiness and learn her secrets after surviving her tests (vv. [17] – [18]). Those who fail her are abandoned to destruction (v. [19]). \* (4:20] – [31) The student of wisdom is warned about interior trials of discipline and external dangers to sincerity and justice, namely evil, human respect (vv. [20] – [22]), compromise of liberty in speech and action (vv. [23] – [25]), false shame (v. [26]). The student must fight for the truth (vv. [25], [28]), avoiding cynicism and laziness (v. [29]), and inconsistency (v. [30]). a. (4:1) [Tb 4:7] – [11]. b. (4:9) [Jb 29:12], [17]. c. (4:14) ([[wisdom-07|Wis 7]]:28]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-03|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-05|Next →]]