Sirach chapter 35
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] True worship of the Most High, continued. Give generously. The triumph of mercy and humility.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
TRUE WORSHIP OF THE MOST HIGH, CONTINUED
VERSE 1. He that keeps the law multiplies offerings; He that takes heed to the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
VERSE 2. He that requites a good turn offers fine flour; And he that gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
VERSE 3. To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; And to depart from unrighteousness is an atoning sacrifice.
GIVE GENEROUSLY
SUMMARY: We Christians are called to give away some of our money. We are to give generously and cheerfully. We are to give regularly. We are to give to poor people and anyone who asks. And we are to support those who lead us in our faith. This is the spirituality of giving.
VERSE 4. See that you appear not in the presence of the Lord empty.
VERSE 5. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment.
VERSE 6. The offering of the righteous makes the altar fat; And the sweet savor thereof is before the Most High.
VERSE 7. The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable; And the memorial thereof shall not be forgotten.
KJV translation. The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable. And the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten.
VERSE 8. Glorify the Lord with a good eye, And stint not the first fruits of your hands.
KJV translation. Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands.
VERSE 9. In every gift show a cheerful countenance, And dedicate your tithe with gladness.
NAB translation. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.
KJV translation. In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness.
dedicate your tithe with gladness. People should not contribute out of obligation. Rather, God loves a cheerful giver. Read more »
The Bible calls us to support the people who teach us in the faith. Read more »
VERSE 10. Give to the Most High according as he has given; And as your hand has found, give with a good eye.
NAB translation. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.
2 Corinthians 9:6. Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The Bible calls us to support the people who teach us in the faith. Read more »
VERSE 11. For the Lord recompenses, And he will recompense you sevenfold.
VERSE 12. Think not to corrupt with gifts; for he will not receive them: And set not your mind on an unrighteous sacrifice; For the Lord is judge, And with him is no respect of persons.
Think not to corrupt with gifts. A believer may not offer anyone a bribe.
THE TRIUMPH OF MERCY AND HUMILITY
VERSE 13. He will not accept any person against a poor man; And he will listen to the prayer of him that is wronged.
VERSE 14. He will in no wise despise the supplication of the fatherless; Nor the widow, when she pours out her tale.
Nor the widow, when she pours out her tale. In Luke 18:1-8, the Lord Jesus tells a powerful parable about a widow who poured out her tale against an unjust judge.
VERSE 15. Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek? And is not her cry against him that has caused them to fall?
VERSE 16. He that serves God according to his good pleasure shall be accepted, And his supplication shall reach to the clouds.
He that serves God. Many people have the intention of serving the Most High God.
However, they confuse their own desires with the will of God. Thus they do whatever it is that they wanted to do anyway.
according to his good pleasure. The real litmus test of whether we are serving God or ourselves is whether we are doing whatever God wants.
Even if he takes us out of our comfort zone. Even if he leads us where we do not want to go.
VERSE 17. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds; And till it come near, he will not be comforted; And he will not depart, till the Most High shall visit; And he shall judge righteously, and execute judgement.
The prayer of the humble. Many people are arrogant about the efficacy of their own prayer-life. They speak of power in prayer and achieving miracles.
However, prayer that actually matters to the LORD God is humble.
pierces the clouds. Prayer that pierces the clouds is humble.
VERSE 18. And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be patient toward them, Till he have crushed the loins of the unmerciful; And he shall repay vengeance to the heathen; Till he have taken away the multitude of the arrogant, And broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous;
crushed the loins of the unmerciful. The LORD God will break the backs of the merciless.
VERSE 19. Till he have rendered to every man according to his doings, And to the works of men according to their plans; Till he have judged the cause of his people; And he shall make them to rejoice in his mercy.
VERSE 20. Mercy is seasonable in the time of his afflicting them, As clouds of rain in the time of drought.
What does it mean to seek the LORD. It does not mean attending liturgies. Amos says God hates our liturgies! Micah delivers a splendid answer. Read more »
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.