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Verse 1. Thee. The just may offend: but the wicked relapse continually.
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 21
Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 2. Hold. Greek “bite,” ( Calmet.) in the same sense. Menochius.—Serpents sting in secret: so all sins inveigle the soul. Worthington.
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Verse 3. Lion. Yet only those are hurt, who consent to sin. The devil may go round about, (1 Peter 5:8) and tempt; ( Calmet.) he cannot bit, except a man willingly expose himself, and come near. verse 2.
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Verse 4. Remedy. In man. Bible.—Only the sovereign physician can cure it. Calmet.
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Verse 5. Riches. As they make enemies arise. Greek subjoins, “so the house of the proud shall be made desolate.” Bible.—Roboam lost ten tribes by an insolent answer, and the Tarquins were expelled for their pride.
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Verse 6. Speedily. God is the protector of the poor. Psalms 10:5.
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Verse 7. Sinner. He rejects all medicines. How shall he be cured? Calmet.—They who fear God, will examine their actions when they are warned. Worthington.
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Verse 8. By him. And to avoid his reproaches. Greek “knoweth when he is ruined.” Bible.—He is more reserved, and escapes the dangers of talkativeness.
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Verse 9. Winter. This season is unfit for building; so the man who borrows, may be forced to pay again ( Calmet.) before it is convenient for him. Bible.—Injustice will bring on ruin. Jeremiah 23:13. Some Greek copies have, “stones for a heap over his tomb,” as Achan and Absalom were treated. Reputation, or goods ill-acquired, will not continue long. Worthington.
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Verse 10. Fire. All their grandeur will end in smoke. Bible.—Malachi 4:1. Matthew 13:30.
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Verse 11. Stones. It is broad and easy. Matthew 7.
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Verse 12. Thereof. Practice makes perfect. A painter may produce a better piece by this means, than one who is more acquainted with theory, ( Calmet.) and neglects it. Bible.
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Verse 15. Bitterness. True wisdom promotes the general good.
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Verse 16. Of life. Which never fails. John 4:14 and 7:38.
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Verse 20. Church. Or assembly, Job 29:11. 21. Calmet.—All good people dislike senseless talk, and approve of what is edifying. Worthington.
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Verse 21. Fool. All is in confusion, like a heap of ruins.
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Verse 22. Hand. He esteems instruction burdensome.
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Verse 23. Low. A smiling countenance is commendable, but loud laughter is to be avoided. Clem. Pæd. ii. 5.—It causes too great a change, (Plato, Rep. 3.) and is a mark of folly. Eccle. 7:5. Saint Augustine c. Acad. ii. 2.
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Verse 25. House. And meddles with the concerns of others. Calmet.—Of the mighty, is not in Greek The wise will not easily receive invitations. Bible.
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Verse 26. Window. Greek “door” with impudence. Calmet.
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Verse 29. Heart. Understanding. Bible.—The wise speak with reflection. Proverbs 16:23.
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Verse 30. While the ungodly, and so forth He condemneth and curseth himself; inasmuch as by sin he takes part with the devil, and is, as it were, his member and subject. Challoner.—In vain does he lay the blame of his sins on the devil. verse 3. Calmet.—He condemns himself by imitating the wicked. Lu. 19. Worthington.
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Verse 31. By all. Greek “in the neighbourhood.” The rest is omitted. Bible.
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Greek him.
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Greek unexamined words.