Sirach chapter 34
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Discern your spiritual experiences. The great benefits of exploring the faith. True worship of the Most High.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
DISCERN YOUR SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES
VERSE 1. Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding; And dreams give wings to fools.
VERSE 2. As one that catches at a shadow, and follows after the wind, So is he that sets his mind on dreams.
VERSE 3. The vision of dreams is as this thing against that, The likeness of a face near a face.
NAB translation. What is seen in dreams is to reality what the reflection of a face is to the face itself.
VERSE 4. Of an unclean thing what shall be cleansed? And of that which is false what shall be true?
VERSE 5. Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: And the heart fancies, as a woman’s in travail.
are vain. That is, “are not real.”
The author says divinations and omens and dreams are not real.
VERSE 6. If they be not sent from the Most High in your visitation, Give not your heart to them.
If they be not sent from the Most High. If you have a vision, it is possibly from the Most High God.
How do you tell if a vision is from the Most High God, or from yourself, or from some other source? How do you discern that?
You might want to consult with somebody who has the ministry gift of Discernment.
VERSE 7. For dreams have led many astray: And they have failed by putting their hope in them.
dreams have led many astray. Some people have a dream, and then base their decisions upon it.
failed by putting their hope in them. In hindsight, the dream was not from the Most High God. Rather, it was from self.
It had nothing to do with God’s will for their life.
VERSE 8. Without lying shall the law be accomplished; And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
VERSE 9. A well-instructed man knows many things; And he that has much experience will declare understanding.
VERSE 10. He that has no experience knows few things: But he that has wandered shall increase his skill.
GREAT BENEFITS OF EXPLORING THE FAITH
VERSE 11. In my wandering I have seen many things; And more than my words is my understanding.
NAB translation:
I have learned much in my travels, learned more than ever I could say.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Sirach and from the entire Bible.
I have learned much in my travels. People who travel as spiritual pilgrims to different parts of the world will learn much.
Even more, those who travel as spiritual pilgrims to different paths of spirituality will learned much.
We hope you can be courageous in exploring spiritual issues.
VERSE 12. Ofttimes was I in danger even to death; And I was preserved because of these things.
NAB translation:
Often I was in danger of death, but by these attainments I was saved.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Sirach and from the entire Bible.
VERSE 13. The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; For their hope is upon him that saves them.
The spirit of those that fear the Lord. People who have a reverential fear the LORD God can be very courageous.
VERSE 14. Whoso fears the Lord shall not be afraid, and shall not play the coward; For he is his hope.
shall not play the coward. When we walk with the LORD God, we can overcome our fears and be bold. As bold as a lion! Read more »
VERSE 15. Blessed is the soul of him that fears the Lord: To whom does he give heed? and who is his stay?
VERSE 16. The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him, A mighty protection and strong stay, A cover from the hot blast, and a cover from the noonday, A guard from stumbling, and a help from falling.
VERSE 17. He raises up the soul, and enlightens the eyes: He gives healing, life, and blessing.
TRUE WORSHIP OF THE MOST HIGH
VERSE 18. He that sacrifices of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery; And the mockeries of wicked men are not well-pleasing.
wrongfully gotten. That is, “something acquired through corrupt means.”
VERSE 19. The Most High has no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly; Neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.
the multitude of sacrifices. Some Christians imagine the Lord Jesus Christ is always on the cross, always being crucified. However, he died for sin once. It was once for all. Read more »
VERSE 20. As one that kills the son before his father’s eyes Is he that brings a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.
VERSE 21. The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that deprives him thereof is a man of blood.
He that deprives him thereof is a man of blood. To withhold help from beggars is a grave moral evil.
It is an act of violence.
VERSE 22. As one that slays his neighbor is he that takes away his living; And as a shedder of blood is he that deprives a hireling of his hire.
VERSE 23. One building, and another pulling down, What profit have they had but toil?
VERSE 24. One praying, and another cursing, Whose voice will the Lord listen to?
VERSE 25. He that washes himself after touching a dead body, and touches it again, What profit has he in his washing?
VERSE 26. Even so a man fasting for his sins, And going again, and doing the same; Who will listen to his prayer? And what profit has he in his humiliation?
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
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.