> [[sirach-26|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-28|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 27 ## Chapter 27 1 For the sake of profit many sin, ^sirach-27-1 and the struggle for wealth blinds the eyes. 2 A stake will be driven between fitted stones— ^sirach-27-2 sin will be wedged in between buying and selling. 3 Unless one holds fast to the fear of the Lord, ^sirach-27-3 with sudden swiftness will one’s house be thrown down. 4 When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear; ^sirach-27-4 so do people’s faults when they speak. 5 The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; ^sirach-27-5 the test of a person is in conversation. 6 The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; ^sirach-27-6 so speech discloses the bent of a person’s heart. 7 Praise no one before he speaks, ^sirach-27-7 for it is then that people are tested. 8 If you strive after justice, you will attain it, ^sirach-27-8 and wear it like a splendid robe. 9 Birds nest with their own kind, ^sirach-27-9 and honesty comes to those who work at it. 10 A lion lies in wait for prey, ^sirach-27-10 so does sin for evildoers. 11 The conversation of the godly is always wisdom, ^sirach-27-11 but the fool changes like the moon. 12 Limit the time you spend among the stupid, ^sirach-27-12 but frequent the company of the thoughtful. 13 The conversation of fools is offensive, ^sirach-27-13 and their laughter is wanton sin. 14 Their oath-filled talk makes the hair stand on end, ^sirach-27-14 and their brawls make one stop the ears. 15 The wrangling of the proud ends in bloodshed, ^sirach-27-15 and their cursing is painful to hear. 16 Whoever betrays a secret destroys confidence, ^sirach-27-16 and will never find a congenial friend. 17 Cherish your friend, keep faith with him; ^sirach-27-17 but if you betray his secrets, do not go after him; 18 For as one might kill another, ^sirach-27-18 you have killed your neighbor’s friendship. 19 Like a bird released from your hand, ^sirach-27-19 you have let your friend go and cannot recapture him. 20 Do not go after him, for he is far away, ^sirach-27-20 and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare. 21 For a wound can be bandaged, and an insult forgiven, ^sirach-27-21 but whoever betrays secrets does hopeless damage. ### Malice, Anger and Vengeance 22 Whoever has shifty eyes plots mischief ^sirach-27-22 and those who know him will keep their distance; 23 In your presence he uses honeyed talk, ^sirach-27-23 and admires your words, But later he changes his tone and twists the words to your ruin. 24 I have hated many things but not as much as him, ^sirach-27-24 and the Lord hates him as well. 25 A stone falls back on the head of the one who throws it high, ^sirach-27-25 and a treacherous blow causes many wounds. 26 Whoever digs a pit falls into it, ^sirach-27-26 and whoever lays a snare is caught in it. 27 The evil anyone does will recoil on him ^sirach-27-27 without knowing how it came upon him. 28 Mockery and abuse will befall the arrogant, ^sirach-27-28 and vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion. 29 Those who rejoice in the downfall of the godly will be caught in a snare, ^sirach-27-29 and pain will consume them before they die. 30 Wrath and anger, these also are abominations, ^sirach-27-30 yet a sinner holds on to them. \* (27:4] – [7], [11] – [15) The importance of effective speech is a favorite wisdom topic; e.g., cf. [20:1] – [8], [18] – [20]; [22:27] – [23:15]. \* (27:16] – [28:11) Betrayal of confidence through indiscretion destroys friendship and does irreparable harm ([27:16] – [21]); cf. [22:22]. False friendship based on hypocrisy and deceit is hateful to Ben Sira and, he adds, to God as well ([27:22] – [24]); it soon becomes a victim of its own treachery ([27:25] – [27]). The same fate awaits the malicious and vengeful ([27:28] – [28:1]). They can obtain mercy and forgiveness only by first forgiving their neighbor, being mindful of death and of the commandments of the Most High ([28:2] – [7]). And they must avoid quarrels and strife ([28:8] – [11]). \* (27:26) This expresses a popular idea of act and consequence; an evil (or good) deed is repaid by an evil (or good) result. The frequent metaphor is the digging of a hole for another to fall into; cf. [Prv 26:27]; ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:14]; [9:16]; [Eccl 10:8]. a. (27:1) [Sir 7:18]; [31:5] – [6]; [Prv 30:7] – [9]. b. (27:5) [1 Pt 1:7]. c. (27:6) ([[matthew-07|Mt 7]]:20]. d. (27:15) [[sirach-23|Sir 23]]:8 – [15]. e. (27:16) [Prv 11:13]; [20:19]. f. (27:21) [[sirach-22|Sir 22]]:20. g. (27:23) [Prv 26:24] – [28]. h. (27:24) [Prv 6:16] – [19]. i. (27:25] – [27) ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:16] – [17]; [Prv 26:27]; [Eccl 10:8]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-26|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-28|Next →]]