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Verse 1. Labour, “anxiety,” ασχολια. Menochius.—All misery ( Calmet.) is in consequence of original sin. Worthington.—The life of man is a trial. Job 7:1 and 14:1.—Of all. The earth, ( Calmet.)
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 40
Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 4. Purple. Lit. “hyacinth,” ( Bible.) or violet colour. Purple was more like scarlet.
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Verse 5. Knowledge. He is disquieted by restless ( Calmet.) and frightful dreams. verse 6. Bible.
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Verse 7. Fear, or no reason for it. Calmet.
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Verse 8. Beast. Their instinct causes them to fear death, to fight, and so forth
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Verse 9. Moreover. Greek “death,” and so forth are all destined for the wicked.
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Verse 12. Out, and severely punished. Calmet.—They shall not appear in the book of life.
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Verse 14. Rejoice. The corrupt judge once rejoiced: but now he shall mourn. Bible.—The possessions and grandeur of the unjust shall end in a moment, like a clap of thunder. Psalms 36:36. Proverbs 10:25. Calmet.
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Verse 15. And make. Greek “they are unclean,” ( Bible.) and will produce no fruit.
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Verse 16. Weed. Lit. “verdure.” Greek Achei, ( Bible.) properly denotes the rush, papyrus, which grows on the banks of the Nile, (Genesis 41:2. Calmet.) and was used for fuel. Alpin. i. 7. Matthew 6:30.—Thus the wicked will presently ( Calmet.) be treated. Menochius.
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Verse 17. Grace. The beneficent will produce fruits, like those of paradise. Genesis 2:8.
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Verse 18. That is. Greek “and of one that.”—In it. Greek “and more than both is one discovering a treasure,” ( Bible.) who finds himself rich, without labour or injustice.
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Verse 19. Both. Thus Judith, Zenobia, and so forth ennobled their husbands. Proverbs 31:10.
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Verse 20. Wisdom. Virtue gives more content to the soul than corporal pleasures do to the body. It brings us near to God. Calmet.
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Verse 22. Green. “The sight of no colour is more agreeable to the eyes.” Pliny xxxvii. 1.—The Church is more excellent than the synagogue. Worthington.
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Verse 23. Husband. Their union is closer, and they can best assist each other.
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Verse 25. Counsel. By this the Romans conquered the world. 1 Maccabees 8:31. Proverbs 11:14.
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Verse 26. Heart, and make people presumptuous; while piety gives real courage. Psalms 26:1. Calmet.
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Verse 28. It, or “him.” Bible.—The virtuous man is covered with glory.
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Verse 29. Indigent. Greek “live not by begging,” being too lazy to work, or incurring this punishment for thy sins. Leviticus 26:16. Psalms 108. Deuteronomy 15:4. Involuntary poverty is a most severe scourge. Calmet.—All are bound too labour for what is needful; ( Worthington.) some by prayer, others by trade, and so forth Bible.
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Verse 30. Meat. Such is the condition of the parasite, ( Calmet.) and of the beggar. Bible.
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Verse 32. Unwise. Some read, “impudent man,” with the Gr.—Fire. He shall feel the inconveniences of poverty; ( Bible.) yet will not work, being lost to all shame. Calmet.—Plato (Leg. 11.) orders magistrates to “clear the country of such an animal,” ζωου, ( Bible.) and the Lacedemonians suffered no beggars among them.