Sirach
Verse 1. Mouth. He is perfect. James 3:2.
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 14
Historical chapter commentary
Sirach
Verse 3. Envious. Who will neither use his wealth himself, nor bestow it. The true use of riches is to take a sufficiency, and to relieve the poor. Calmet.
Sirach
Verse 4. Gathereth. Greek “taketh from his,” and so forth Bible.—Such misers are continually derided, but will never be cured. Eccle. 2:18 and 6:2. An old proverb says, “The miser doth nothing right but when he dies.” Calmet.
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Verse 6. Envieth. By refusing himself the necessaries of life, he rejects God’s gifts, and scandalizes his neighbour. Worthington.
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Verse 7. Wickedness. Persisting covetous till death, as is commonly the case.
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Verse 11. Offerings. Make a proper use of what God has bestowed. Calmet.
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Verse 12. The covenant of hell. The decree by which all are to go down to the regions of death, ( Challoner.) which hell frequently denotes. Bible.—Under the old law, all went down into some part of hell. Worthington.—Hath been. Greek “hath not,” and so forth We know not when we shall die, though all must taste of death, ( Bible.) and therefore we must make haste to do good. Menochius.—Shall, or “is, he shall die the death,” (Genesis 2:17) as the Greek has this sentence. verse 18. Bible.
Certo veniunt ordine Parcæ,
Nulli jusso cessare licet. Sen. Hercul.
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Verse 15. Sorrows. Greek “toils,” or what thou hast amassed with much care. Bible.
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Verse 16. Take. Alms-deeds will ensure the remission of sins. This usury is lawful. We must also keep up a good society with our friends. Calmet.—Justify. Greek “sanctify thy soul (17) for.” Grabe. Bible.—Some read “love,” or divert thy soul by lawful amusements. The argument is addressed to Jews and Gentiles. Calmet.
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Verse 18. Fade. Greek “grow old like a garment. For the covenant from the beginning is, he shall die the death. Like a leaf flourishing on a bushy tree.” Bible.—Homer has the same thought, Il. vi.
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Verse 20. End. The fruits of the Spirit are alone immortal. verse 21. Galatians 6:8.
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Verse 27. Glory. As under the miraculous pillar. Exodus 24:17. He who shall abide with wisdom shall have nothing to fear. Calmet.