ECCLESIASTICUS / BEN SIRA’S BOOK OF WISDOM / SIRACH 3 11:7–11:28 Deliberation and Caution 11:29–12:18 Care in Choosing Friends 13:1–14:2 Caution Regarding Associates NABRE: New American Bible, revised edition 31 For they lie in wait to turn good into evil, Ben Sira 6:26-28. 30 Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of the proud, and like a spy they will pick out the weak spots. 30 Now I, like a stream from a river, * and like water channeling into a garden— 31 I said, “I will water my plants, I will drench my flower beds.” Vocations of the Skilled Worker and the Scribe # 38:24–39:11] Ben Sira has a balanced view of the various vocations of skilled laborers—the farmer, engraver, smith and potter—but the profession of scribe is more excellent (38:24–34). and robs them of the fruit of their toil. 12 If you blow on a spark, it turns into flame,    if you spit on it, it dies out;    yet both you do with your mouth!13 Cursed be gossips and the double-tongued,    for they destroy the peace of many. but before 175. A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men. Vol. Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest. The rabbinical tradition that the Wisdom of Ben Sira was written by a sage of Jerusalem about 180 B.C. Gigot, Francis. 2 Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you;    then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. of (Ben Sira 6:22) “22 For wisdom is like her name; she is not readily perceived by many.” (Job 28:12-14, 20-22) “12 “But where can wisdom be found? In the Jewish-Greek scriptures and for NETS, the title is that given above, Sirach. And where is the place of understanding? Study This. The Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, is part of the Wisdom Literature of the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate Bible.While originally written in Hebrew, the Book was read only through its Greek translation, known as Σειρὰχ.The Book was not included in the Hebrew Masoretic Text as part of the Hebrew Canon of the Old Testament. Prv 6:1 – 5 . ^ MLA citation. He is the author of Sirach, also known as the "Book of Ecclesiasticus". 2nd century BCE), was a Hellenistic Jewish scribe, sage, and allegorist from Seleucid-controlled Jerusalem of the Second Temple period. This seems to be the earliest title of the book. Further treatment of sins of the tongue and the havoc that results; cf. * [27:16–28:11] Betrayal of confidence through indiscretion destroys friendship and does irreparable harm (27:16–21); cf. But if you forgive someone who has wronged you, your sins will be forgiven when you pray. (B)3 Does anyone nourish anger against another    and expect healing from the Lord? 19–26). 1 The ... Ben Sira 27. Welcome to www.bensira.org, the website devoted to the ancient and medieval Hebrew manuscripts of the book of Ben Sira. Ben Sira 33 New American Bible Revised Edition ... 28 Force him to work that he be not idle, 29 for idleness teaches much mischief. Chapter 28. remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults. Ben Sira 28 He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. * [ 29:14 – 17 ] Ben Sira is more lenient on going surety than earlier sages; cf. # Mt 6:14. Read verse in King James Version w/ Apocrypha Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. 8 Avoid strife and your sins will be fewer,    for the hot-tempered kindle strife;9 The sinner disrupts friendships    and sows discord among those who are at peace. If the fruits of a person’s wisdom benefit himself, he may be praised in his own lifetime; if they benefit others, the praise endures after him, in their lives (vv. (D)7 Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor;    remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults. 2 Perdoa a injustiça que o teu próximo fez contra ti, e assim, quando orares, os teus pecados ser-te-ão perdoados. Two Ben Sira fragments found in the Dead Sea scrolls, and also dated to the 1st Century B.C., are likewise textually identical. Ben Sira 28 The Lord is taking note of your sins, and if you take vengeance on someone, the Lord will take vengeance on you. 29 For deeper than the sea are her thoughts, and her counsels, than the great abyss. * [29:12–13] In Ben Sira’s day, almsgiving and righteousness were practically identified. Lilith (/ ˈ l ɪ l ɪ θ /; Hebrew: לִילִית ‎ Lîlîṯ) is a figure in Jewish mythology, developed earliest in the Babylonian Talmud (3rd to 5th century AD). Ben Sira 28:1 in all English translations. The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) Chapter 1 1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time. 1 The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance;    indeed he remembers their sins in detail.(A). Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus, and access the. Author and Date: The work was originally written by Jeshua ben Eleazar ben Sira (cf. For Sirach, I have used the Göttingen edition of Joseph One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord? As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed. This seems to be the earliest title of the book. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. 28. (G)14 A meddlesome tongue subverts many,    and makes them refugees among peoples.It destroys strong cities,    and overthrows the houses of the great.15 A meddlesome tongue drives virtuous women from their homes,    and robs them of the fruit of their toil.16 Whoever heed it will find no rest,    nor will they dwell in peace. New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE). THE WISDOM OF BEN SIRA (ECCLESIASTICUS) The Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar, son of Sira” (50:27). # Dt 32:35; Rom 12:19. Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins? So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” Ben Sira also known as Shimon ben Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira (שמעון בן יהושע בן אליעזר בן סירא) or Yeshua Ben Sirach (fl. 1. In the Vulgate, the book is called Ecclesiasticus (the church’s book). Matthew 5:39. Two Ben Sira fragments found in the Dead Sea scrolls, and also dated to the 1st Century B.C., are likewise textually identical. THE BIBLE The Book of Ben Sira Index of Passages Compiled by Joshua A. Blachorsky Note: Each verse is indexed to a specific Genizah folio and/or Qumran or Masada document. so make a door and a bolt for your mouth. 22:22. the religious tradition that reads it. Ben Sira 28 The vengeful will face the Lord's vengeance, for he keeps a strict account of their sins. Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss? Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Ben Sira 24 Bible ... 28 The first man did not know wisdom fully, nor will the last one fathom her. (H)19 Happy the one who is sheltered from it,    and has not endured its wrath;Who has not borne its yoke    nor been bound with its chains.20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron,    and its chains are chains of bronze;21 The death it inflicts is an evil death,    even Sheol is preferable to it.22 It will have no power over the godly,    nor will they be burned in its flame.23 But those who forsake the Lord will fall victim to it,    as it burns among them unquenchably;It will hurl itself against them like a lion,    and like a leopard, it will tear them to pieces.24 As you fence in your property with thorns,    so make a door and a bolt for your mouth. Baruch's poem on wisdom (3:9-4:4) does not integrate mythic themes about wisdom's role in creation with the idea that the concrete expression of wisdom occurs in the law. 3 Does anyone nourish anger against another. New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) Ben Sira 28 The Lord is taking note of your sins, and if you take vengeance on someone, the Lord will take vengeance on you. Ben Sira 28 He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord, and he will firmly establish his sins. 13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. 28 Call none happy before death, for how they end, they are known. 16 A word is the source of every deed; # Thoughts determine action. 1 Aquele que se vingar sofrerá a vingança do Senhor, que lhe pedirá contas dos seus pecados. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” In Ben Sira chaps. Read verse in Good News Translation w/ Apocrypha and like a leopard, it will tear them to pieces. 27;51. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. THE WISDOM OF BEN SIRA (ECCLESIASTICUS) The Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar, son of Sira” (50:27). Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss? (E)10 The more the wood, the greater the fire,(F)    the more the cruelty, the fiercer the strife;The greater the strength, the sterner the anger,    the greater the wealth, the greater the wrath.11 Pitch and resin make fire flare up,    and a hasty quarrel provokes bloodshed. 1 The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance; indeed he remembers their sins in detail. 28 Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart! These documents, which are housed in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem, are here presented in a single platform, to allow the scholar and the interested layperson to view these precious texts. But never lord it over any human being, and do nothing unjust. 29 For her thoughts are more abundant than the sea, and her counsel deeper than the great abyss. (, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 30).From internal evidence it seems he completed his work in Hebrew after 190 BC. The King James Version is in the public domain. Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands. Read verse in Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. 28 The first human being never finished comprehending wisdom, nor will the last succeed in fathoming her. In Hebrew the book is known as The Wisdom of Joshua (Jesus) Ben Sira. 30 Put him to work, as is fitting for him; and if he does not obey, load him with chains. A word needs to be said about Ben Sira's teachings about women. Read verse in New Revised Standard w/ Apocrypha The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it. According to Ben Sira, women fall into five main categories: a good wife, a mother/widow, a bad wife, the adulteress/prostitute, and a daughter. For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass. Read verse in Good News Translation w/ Apocrypha the religious tradition that reads it. 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). He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins? 2 Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard. 28 The first man did not know wisdom fully, nor will the last one fathom her. The Catholic Encyclopedia. From c. AD 700–1000 onwards Lilith appears as Adam's first wife, created at the same time (Rosh Hashanah) and from the same clay as Adam—compare Genesis 1:27. In the case of the Genizah materials, the specific manuscript, folio, and side (r = recto; v = verso) are indicated, e.g., 3:8 is … Baruch's poem on wisdom (3:9-4:4) does not integrate mythic themes about wisdom's role in creation with the idea that the concrete expression of wisdom occurs in the law. In Hebrew the book is known as The Wisdom of Joshua (Jesus) Ben Sira. In the Vulgate, the book is called Ecclesiasticus (the church’s book). All rights reserved. but a blow from the tongue will break bones. Ben Sira 28:7 NABRE Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults. New American Bible (Revised Edition) Update. And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth. 2 Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Ben Sira 28:1 in all English translations. Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance. 30 As for me, I was like a canal from a river, like a water channel into a garden. Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace. Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife. An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood. But if you forgive someone who has wronged you, your sins will be forgiven when you pray. Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments. (C)4 Can one refuse mercy to a sinner like oneself,    yet seek pardon for one’s own sins?5 If a mere mortal cherishes wrath,    who will forgive his sins?6 Remember your last days and set enmity aside;    remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Care in Choosing Friends. THE BOOK OF SIRACH OR BEN SIRA. 28. The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) Chapter 1 1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time. 44-49 the author comments on the outstanding lives of some 28 individual Old Testament heroes 4 , along with the judges as a group (46:11) and the twelve minor prophets (49:10). Ben Sira 28. Ben Sira 28:7 NABRE Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults. 50. Ben Sira 29. Whereas Ben Sira prays for wondrous acts on God's part, Tobit both prays for wondrous acts on God's part, Tobit both prays for and experiences divine feats. (I)25 As you lock up your silver and gold,    so make balances and scales for your words.26 Take care not to slip by your tongue    and fall victim to one lying in ambush. Wisdom is the source of good and life; folly, of evil and death (vv. It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof. The Alphabet of ben Sirach (Alphabetum Siracidis, Otijot ben Sira, Alpha Beta la-Ben Sira) is an anonymous text of the Middle Ages inspired by the Hellenistic work known as the Sirach.Its date of authorship is estimated to have been anywhere between 700 and 1000 CE. 31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself, remember death and decay, and cease from sin! 29 If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is his lamp. The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Salem Media Group. 5. The good news is that more than 100 verses are dedicated to women; the bad news is that most of them are very negative. The Book of Sirach, also called the Wisdom of Sirach or simply Sirach (/ ˈ s aɪ r æ k /), and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (/ ɪ ˌ k l iː z i ˈ æ s t ɪ k ə s /; abbreviated Ecclus.) For Sirach, I have used the Göttingen edition of Joseph In the Jewish-Greek scriptures and for NETS, the title is that given above, Sirach. Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait. Proud member then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Ben Sira 28 He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord, and he will firmly establish his sins.