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Verse 1. Pleased. Wisdom still speaks. Solomon often makes similar division, to make the deeper impression. Proverbs 30:15. 24.
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 25
Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 4. Fool. Greek “adulterer, devoid of sense.” Isaiah 65:20. Calmet.—Luxuria … senectuti fœdissima. Cic. off. i.
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Verse 5. Age? Wisdom, says Bias, “is more durable than other possessions.” Laert.
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Verse 9. Things. Greek “nine suppositions I have blessed in my heart,” ( Bible.) or thought that they may confer felicity. But the tenth will certainly do it. Calmet. 14.
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Verse 10. Enemies. Not out of revenge, but for the glory of God. See Matthew 5:43.
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Verse 12. A true. Greek “prudence.” Calmet.
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Verse 14. Things. Greek adds, “for light (15) he that,” and so forth Bible.
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Verse 16. It. This is not in the edit. of Rome, or of Aldus: but it is in the rest. Fear commonly begins the work of salvation, and love perfects it. 1 Timothy 1:5. Calmet.—All happiness in this life is grounded on the fear of God. Worthington.
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Verse 17. Evil. Greek reads not this; but the Syriac does, omitting the two next verses. Calmet.—Heresy is described under the idea of a wicked woman, concealing her malice. Worthington.
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Verse 18. Choose. Lit. “see.” Bible.—Some supply “send any plague,” and so forth
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Verse 21. Enemies. Which they wish, or may behold. Calmet. 18:31. Calmet.
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Verse 22. Head. Or poison, as the Hebrew rosh signifies both. Rondet.
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Verse 23. Woman. Greek “enemy.” Calmet.—Revenge is the passion of little souls, and of women. Juv. xiii.—Dragon. This is not exaggerated, if we reflect on the evils occasioned by Eve, Dalila, Athalia, and so forth Calmet.—“A woman is the greatest wild-beast.” Menander.
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Verse 24. Sackcloth. And is black when passion bursts forth, though women too frequently conceal their anger to take deeper vengeance.
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Verse 25. Groaned. Greek “shall fall.”—Little. Greek “bitterly.” He cannot avoid hearing of his wife’s misconduct. Bible.—She will raise him enemies on all sides.
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Verse 26. Her. I could wish no greater evil to the worst of enemies. Eccles. 7:27.
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Verse 27. Man. He cannot advance. Calmet.—Semper habet lites. Juv. vi.
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Verse 28. Beauty. Other qualifications of more importance must be regarded. Bible.—He should choose one who may be a companion and assistant in domestic concerns. Grot.
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Verse 30. A. Greek “If she bring a fortune to her husband,” ( Bible.) she will continually upbraid him with it, and cover him with confusion. verse 29. Calmet.—Lay-leadership in spiritual things is so unreasonable, that few heretics will endure it. Worthington.
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Verse 32. Happy. A lazy wife will give no content.
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Verse 33. Die. Eve tempted her husband, and thus we are all involved in sin. 1 Timothy 2:14.
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Verse 34. Water. Incontinency. Calmet. 26:15. Proverbs 5:15. If water find a hole, it will presently flow away. Women were kept much at home in the East, as they are in many parts of Europe. Calmet.—Retirement and silence are the characteristics of a wise woman. Æschyl. Thebas.
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Verse 35. She will. Greek “cut her off from thy flesh.” Grabe and Comp. add, ( Bible.) “give a bill of divorce or her dowry, and send her away.” Calmet.
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Verse 12 is omitted by the best authorities.
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The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.