> [[sirach-33|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-35|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 34 ## Chapter 34 ### Trust in the Lord and Not in Dreams 1 Empty and false are the hopes of the senseless, ^sirach-34-1 and dreams give wings to fools. 2 Like one grasping at shadows or chasing the wind, ^sirach-34-2 so anyone who believes in dreams. 3 What is seen in dreams is a reflection, ^sirach-34-3 the likeness of a face looking at itself. 4 How can the unclean produce what is clean? ^sirach-34-4 How can the false produce what is true? 5 Divination, omens, and dreams are unreal; ^sirach-34-5 what you already expect, the mind fantasizes. 6 Unless they are specially sent by the Most High, ^sirach-34-6 do not fix your heart on them. 7 For dreams have led many astray, ^sirach-34-7 and those who put their hope in them have perished. 8 Without such deceptions the Law will be fulfilled, ^sirach-34-8 and in the mouth of the faithful is complete wisdom. 9 A much-traveled person knows many things; ^sirach-34-9 and one with much experience speaks sense. 10 An inexperienced person knows little, ^sirach-34-10 11 whereas with travel one adds to resourcefulness. ^sirach-34-11 12 I have seen much in my travels, ^sirach-34-12 and learned more than I could ever say. 13 Often I was in danger of death, ^sirach-34-13 but by these experiences I was saved. 14 Living is the spirit of those who fear the Lord, ^sirach-34-14 15 for their hope is in their savior. ^sirach-34-15 16 Whoever fear the Lord are afraid of nothing ^sirach-34-16 and are never discouraged, for he is their hope. 17 Happy the soul that fears the Lord! ^sirach-34-17 18 In whom does he trust, and who is his support? ^sirach-34-18 19 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him; ^sirach-34-19 he is their mighty shield and strong support, A shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling. 20 He lifts up spirits, brings a sparkle to the eyes, ^sirach-34-20 gives health and life and blessing. ### True Worship of God 21 Ill-gotten goods offered in sacrifice are tainted. ^sirach-34-21 22 Presents from the lawless do not win God’s favor. ^sirach-34-22 23 The Most High is not pleased with the gifts of the godless, ^sirach-34-23 nor for their many sacrifices does he forgive their sins. 24 One who slays a son in his father’s presence— ^sirach-34-24 whoever offers sacrifice from the holdings of the poor. 25 The bread of charity is life itself for the needy; ^sirach-34-25 whoever withholds it is a murderer. 26 To take away a neighbor’s living is to commit murder; ^sirach-34-26 27 to deny a laborer wages is to shed blood. ^sirach-34-27 28 If one builds up and another tears down, ^sirach-34-28 what do they gain but trouble? 29 If one prays and another curses, ^sirach-34-29 whose voice will God hear? 30 If one again touches a corpse after bathing, ^sirach-34-30 what does he gain by the purification? 31 So one who fasts for sins, ^sirach-34-31 but goes and commits them again: Who will hear his prayer, what is gained by mortification? \* (34:1] – [20) Confidence placed in dreams, divinations, and omens is false because these are devoid of reality (vv. [1] – [8]). True confidence is founded on knowledge and experience (vv. [9] – [13]), and above all on the fear of the Lord, with its accompanying blessings of divine assistance and protection (vv. [14] – [20]). \* (34:21] – [31) To be acts of true religion, sacrifice and penance must be accompanied by the proper moral dispositions. To offer to God goods taken from the poor (vv. [21] – [27]), or to practice penance without interior reform, is a mockery, worthless in the sight of God (vv. [28] – [31]). Cf. ([[matthew-15|Mt 15]]:4] – [7]; ([[mark-07|Mk 7]]:9] – [13]. a. (34:4) [Jb 14:4]. b. (34:16) ([[psalm-23|Ps 23]]:4]; [112:7] – [8]; [Prv 3:23] – [24]; [28:1]. c. (34:19) [Ps 33:18] – [19]; [34:16]. d. (34:22) [Sir 35:14] – [15]; [Prv 21:27]. e. (34:25] – [27) [Lv 19:13]; [Dt 24:14] – [15]; [Tb 4:14]. f. (34:30) [Nm 19:11] – [12]; [Prv 26:11]; [2 Pt 2:22]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-33|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-35|Next →]]