Sirach
Verse 1. Death. Greek explains this: ( Calmet.) I mean (2.) “a companion and friend turned?” and so forth Bible.—True friendship is most necessary, and false most dangerous. Worthington.
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 37
Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 5. Will. Grotius suspects that not is wanting. Yet, if a false friend take up arms, it will only be ( Calmet.) for his own belly. Menochius.—Not is ill-omitted in the Comp. edit. in the last part of the following verse.
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Verse 7. Snare. Greek Rom. and Alex. has at the end ( Calmet.) of verse 11, “with him that suspecteth thee.” Bible.
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Verse 10. Stake, or stumbling-block. Calmet.
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Verse 12. Treat not. The negation is omitted in the Vulg. ( Bible.) which speaks ironically in the three following verses. Greek “consult not with him who suspecteth thee, and hide thy counsel from those who are jealous of thee. With a woman,” and so forth Consult not, is always understood. Among the Jews, polygamy occasioned much jealousy.—Envious miser. Calmet.
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Verse 13. Nor. Greek “with the merciless concerning kindness, with the sluggard concerning any work. With one hired for the year, concerning coming to an end:” συντελειας. Bible.—He will never finish his work, or think he has sufficient wages.
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Verse 15. God, and is enlightened, as well as a good friend, verse 16. Calmet.
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Verse 17. It. Greek “more faithful than it,” the well regulated heart. Bible.—It will give the best counsel, if we be not guided by passion.
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Verse 18. Holy is not in Greek but must be understood. Calmet.—The soul or heart, which is attentive to God, (verse 17) will be the best guide. Bible.—All good advice proceeds from the Lord. Saint Augustine Doct. prol. 7.—We must always have recourse to him, though we must use our best endeavours. Worthington.
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Verse 20. In. Greek “Reason is chief of every work, and counsel must go before every action.” Bible.—We must distrust our own lights.
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Verse 21. Them. The heart gives birth to good or evil, which the tongue utters. Matthew 12:34 and 15:18.—Soul. What will science, without charity, profit him, if he should even gain the world? Matthew 16:26 and 1 Corinthians 13:1.
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Verse 23. Hateful. His sophisms are soon discovered. Greek “there is one wise, hateful in his discourses: he shall be devoid of all wisdom.”
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Verse 25. Soul. Being replenished with wisdom, he communicates it to others, and obtains an eternal reward. Calmet.
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Verse 28. But. Greek “And.” The wisest must soon die: Even the race of Israel shall end: But the virtuous shall be for ever remembered. verse 29. Bible.—The blessed in heaven live for ever. Worthington.
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Verse 30. Life. Attempt nothing above thy strength: or Greek try what agrees with thy health or soul, ( Calmet.) and see thou give it not what is hurtful to it.” Bible.—Saint Paul (1 Corinthians 11) exhorts every one to prove or try himself and his own conscience. Worthington.
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Verse 31. Soul. “We must not dispute about tastes.” Bible.—They are as various as men’s faces. All conditions do not suit every person.
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Verse 33. Choler, or indigestion. “Gluttony has slain more than the sword.” Calmet.