> [[sirach-15|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-17|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 16 ## Chapter 16 ### God’s Punishment of Sinners 1 Do not yearn for worthless children, ^sirach-16-1 or rejoice in wicked offspring. 2 Even if they be many, do not rejoice in them ^sirach-16-2 if they do not have fear of the LORD. 3 Do not count on long life for them, ^sirach-16-3 or have any hope for their future. For one can be better than a thousand; rather die childless than have impious children! 4 Through one wise person a city can be peopled; ^sirach-16-4 but through a clan of rebels it becomes desolate. 5 Many such things my eye has seen, ^sirach-16-5 and even more than these my ear has heard. 6 Against a sinful band fire is kindled, ^sirach-16-6 upon a godless people wrath blazes. 7 He did not forgive the princes of old ^sirach-16-7 who rebelled long ago in their might. 8 He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, ^sirach-16-8 abominable in their pride. 9 He did not spare the doomed people, ^sirach-16-9 dispossessed because of their sin; 10 Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers, ^sirach-16-10 sent to their graves for the arrogance of their hearts. 11 Had there been but one stiff-necked person, ^sirach-16-11 it would be a wonder had he gone unpunished. For mercy and anger alike are with him; he remits and forgives, but also pours out wrath. 12 Great as his mercy is his punishment; ^sirach-16-12 he judges people, each according to their deeds. 13 Criminals do not escape with their plunder; ^sirach-16-13 the hope of the righteous, God never leaves unfulfilled. 14 Whoever does good has a reward; ^sirach-16-14 each receives according to their deeds. 17 Do not say: “I am hidden from God; ^sirach-16-17 and on high who remembers me? Among so many people I am unknown; what am I in the world of spirits? 18 Look, the heavens and the highest heavens, ^sirach-16-18 the abyss and the earth tremble at his visitation. 19 The roots of the mountains and the earth’s foundations— ^sirach-16-19 at his mere glance they quiver and quake. 20 Of me, therefore, he will take no notice; ^sirach-16-20 with my ways who will be concerned? 21 If I sin, no eye will see me; ^sirach-16-21 if all in secret I act deceitfully, who is to know? 22 Who tells him about just deeds? ^sirach-16-22 What can I expect for doing my duty?” 23 Such the thoughts of the senseless; ^sirach-16-23 only the foolish entertain them. ### Divine Wisdom Seen in Creation 24 Listen to me, my son, and take my advice, ^sirach-16-24 and apply your mind to my words, 25 While I pour out my spirit by measure ^sirach-16-25 and impart knowledge with care. 26 When at the first God created his works ^sirach-16-26 and, as he made them, assigned their tasks, 27 He arranged for all time what they were to do, ^sirach-16-27 their domains from generation to generation. They were not to go hungry or grow weary, or ever cease from their tasks. 28 Never does a single one crowd its neighbor, ^sirach-16-28 or do any ever disobey his word. 29 Then the Lord looked upon the earth, ^sirach-16-29 and filled it with his blessings. 30 Its surface he covered with every kind of living creature ^sirach-16-30 which must return into it again. \* (16:1] – [23) One child who does God’s will is a greater blessing than many sinful offspring (vv. [1] – [4]), for history and experience show that God punishes sin (vv. [5] – [10]). God judges everyone according to their deeds (vv. [11] – [14]); no one can hide from God or escape retribution at his hand (vv. [17] – [23]). \* (16:6) For Korah and his band (v. [6a]), see [45:18] – [19]; [Nm 16:1] – [35]; [Ps 106:18]; for the disgruntled Israelites (v. [6b]), [Ps 78:21] – [22]. \* (16:7) The princes of old: e.g., the mighty destroyed in the flood ([Gn 6:1] – [4]; [Wis 14:6]; ([[baruch-03|Bar 3]]:26] – [28]), as well as the king of Babylon ([[isaiah-14|Is 14]]:4 – [21]) and Nebuchadnezzar ([Dn 4:7] – [30]). \* (16:8) Neighbors of Lot: the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, condemned elsewhere for their sexual violence ([[genesis-19|Gen 19]]:24 – [25]) and failure at hospitality ([[ezekiel-16|Ez 16]]:49 – [50]). \* (16:9) Doomed people: the Canaanite tribes whose aberrant religious practices, at least in Israelite opinion, caused their downfall: ([[exodus-23|Ex 23]]:23] – [24], [27] – [33]; [33:2]; [34:11] – [16]; [Dt 7:1] – [2]; [Wis 12:3] – [7]. \* (16:10) Six hundred thousand foot soldiers: the number given for those rescued by Moses, who murmured against the Lord in the wilderness and died there: [46:1], [7] – [8]; [Nm 11:20]; [14:1] – [12], [22] – [24], [29], [36] – [38]; [26:65]; [Dt 1:35] – [38]. \* (16:11) Stiff-necked: sinful Israelites; cf. [Ex 32:9]; [33:3], [5]. Not even one Israelite would have gone unpunished for insolence or pride. † (16:14) Other ancient texts read as vv. 15–16: ¹⁵ The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh so that he did not recognize him whose acts were manifest under the heavens; ¹⁶ His mercy was seen by all his creatures, and his light and his darkness he apportioned to humankind. \* (16:24] – [17:23) In harmony with [Gn 1] – [2], the author describes God’s wisdom in creating the universe and everything in it (vv. [24] – [30]), endowing human beings with a moral nature, with wisdom, knowledge, and freedom of will (cf. [15:14]) according to his own image ([17:1] – [3], [7]). Now they can govern the earth (vv. [3] – [4]), praise God’s name (vv. [9] – [10]), obey his law (vv. [11] – [14]), and render to him an account of their deeds (v. [23]). Cf. [Ps 19]; [104]. a. (16:3] – [4) ([[wisdom-04|Wis 4]]:1] – [2]. b. (16:6) [[sirach-21|Sir 21]]:9. c. (16:7) [Gn 6:4]; [Wis 14:6]; ([[baruch-03|Bar 3]]:26] – [28]. d. (16:8) [[genesis-19|Gen 19]]:24 – [25]. e. (16:10) [Nm 14:29]. f. (16:21) [[sirach-23|Sir 23]]:18 – [20]. g. (16:26) [Gn 1:3] – [30]. h. (16:29) [Gn 1:11] – [31]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-15|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-17|Next →]]