Sirach chapter 25
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] The author’s perspective on different people. The author’s unbiblical rant against women.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
THE AUTHOR’S PERSPECTIVE ON DIFFERENT PEOPLE
VERSE 1. In three things I was beautified, And stood up beautiful before the Lord and men: The concord of kindred, and friendship of neighbors, And a woman and her husband that walk together in agreement.
The concord of kindred. That is, harmony among brethren.
VERSE 2. But three sorts of men my soul hates, And I am greatly offended at their life: A poor man that is arrogant, and a rich man that is a liar, And an old man that is an adulterer lacking understanding.
VERSE 3. In your youth you have not gathered, And how should you find in your old age?
VERSE 4. How beautiful a thing is judgement for gray hairs, And for elders to know counsel!
gray hairs. Do you have gray hair? The author considers you wise.
for elders to know counsel. Are you an elder? People will come to you for wise counsel.
VERSE 5. How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, And thought and counsel to men that are in honor!
VERSE 6. Much experience is the crown of old men; And their glorying is the fear of the Lord.
The crown of old men is their experience. It allows for wisdom.
VERSE 7. There be nine things that I have thought of, and in my heart counted happy; And the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; A man that lives and looks upon the fall of his enemies:
VERSE 8. Happy is he that dwells with a wife of understanding; And he that has not slipped with his tongue; And he that has not served a man that is unworthy of him:
a wife of understanding. To dwell with a sensible spouse is a great blessing.
served a man that is unworthy of him. Some people work for a scoundrel.
VERSE 9. Happy is he that has found prudence; And he that speaks in the ears of those who listen.
VERSE 10. How great is he that has found wisdom! Yet is there none above him that fears the Lord.
he that has found wisdom. To have found wisdom is truly great.
there none above him that fears the Lord. Yet to have a reverential fear of the LORD God is even greater.
VERSE 11. The fear of the Lord passes all things: He that holds it, to whom shall he be likened?
THE AUTHOR’S UNBIBLICAL RANT AGAINST WOMEN
SUMMARY: This rant against women is not compatible with a biblical worldview. It is troubling that it is included in the Book of Sirach.
Gender bias is hostile to Jesus Christ. When it comes to gender bias, we Christians have often been the most egregious offenders. It is time for us to change our behavior. Read more »
VERSE 12.
This verse is omitted in the best manuscripts.
VERSE 13. Give me any plague but the plague of the heart; And any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman;
any wickedness. The author sees any wickedness as preferable to that of a woman.
VERSE 14. Any calamity, but a calamity from those who hate me; And any vengeance, but the vengeance of enemies.
VERSE 15. There is no head above the head of a serpent; And there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
VERSE 16. I will rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, Than keep house with a wicked woman.
VERSE 17. The wickedness of a woman changes her look, And darkens her countenance as a bear does.
VERSE 18. Her husband will sit at meat among his neighbors, And when he hears it he sighs bitterly.
VERSE 19. All malice is but little to the malice of a woman: Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.
VERSE 20. As the going up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, So is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
VERSE 21. Throw not yourself upon the beauty of a woman; And desire not a woman for her beauty.
VERSE 22. There is anger, and impudence, and great reproach, If a woman maintain her husband.
VERSE 23. A wicked woman is abasement of heart, And sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart: A woman that will not make her husband happy Is as hands that hang down, and palsied knees.
VERSE 24. From a woman was the beginning of sin; And because of her we all die.
the beginning of sin. The author blames all human sin on Eve.
because of her we all die. The author blames Eve for the death of all people.
VERSE 25. Give not water an outlet; Neither to a wicked woman freedom of speech.
VERSE 26. If she go not as you would have her, Cut her off from your flesh.
The remainder of this verse is omitted in the best manuscripts.
SIRACH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology
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