Sirach
Verse 1. Sins. To seek revenge out of rancour, or contrary to justice, is a grievous sin. Worthington.—Retaliation was tolerated, (Exodus 21:24) but love was not to be laid aside. Deuteronomy 33:3–5. Leviticus 21:17. Psalms 7:5. Matthew 7:2.
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 28
Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 2. Forgive. This charity enforces, when the offender is penitent, if the remission of punishment be not contrary to justice and discipline. Worthington.—Matthew 6:12,. and 18:32. Lu. 6:37. We all stand in need of pardon. Calmet.
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Verse 5. And doth. Greek “who will expiate his sins?” Is God bound to receive his victims or prayers while he entertains such dispositions? Calmet.
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Verse 7. In his commandments. Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus: Remember corruption, and death, and abide in the commandments, ( Challoner.) which condemn revenge. Exodus 23:4. Calmet.—Comp. “and do not rage or menace thy neighbour with destruction and death; yea, stick to the commandments. Be mindful of the precepts, and be not angry with thy neighbour; and of the covenant,” and so forth verse 9. Bible.
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Verse 9. Ignorance. He uses a softer term. In effect, most quarrels proceed from a misunderstanding. “Every sinner is ignorant.”
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Verse 12. Burneth. The more fuel, the greater will be the blaze.
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Verse 13. And a, and so forth is not in Greek Proverbs 19:12 and 26:21.
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Verse 16. Third. Who carries stories between friends, to set them at variance. Calmet.
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Verse 18. It, and so forth is omitted in Greek. Bible.—Indiscreet reports often cause dissensions. Worthington.
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Verse 19. Labours. Causing their husbands to suspect them.
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Verse 22. Their own. Greek “the.” Detraction separates many friends. Calmet.
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Verse 25. Hell. Or rather “the grave.”
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Verse 26. Its. Greek “it shall not take hold of the pious, and they shall not,” and so forth Bible.—Their virtue shall quickly shine forth. Calmet.
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Verse 28. Hear. Greek “lo, hedge in thy possessions with thorns: bind up thy silver and gold.” Bible.—To pay attention to detraction is as bad as to utter it. Worthington.
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Verse 29. Just. Greek “a door and bolt,” and so forth as verse 28. If people guard their property with so much care, why do they make light of words? Bible.—These ought to be weighed with more attention than money, and we ought to spare no pains or expense on this head. Calmet.
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Verse 30. Tongue. Greek “by them, lest thou fall before him who lays snares.” Calmet. 29. Bible.