3Mar/090
Sirach 4-14
Tweet ThisI'm back from a hiatus of an all-too-busy week, and owing you summaries of Sirach 4-14. Man, has it been that long? Well, here goes, charging back into the game...
- Give to the needy
- Help the orphan and widow
- Use your time well.
- Speak when the time is right - don't hold back when you know what should be said.
- "Even to the death fight for truth."
- "Be swift to hear, but slow to answer."
- Be judicious and rely only on the Lord.
LOVE this part:
Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him
For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.
Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;
But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.
Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.
- Do no evil, be just and humble.
- LOVE 23-33:
If you have sons, chastise them; bend their necks from childhood.
If you have daughters, keep them chaste, and be not indulgent to them.
Giving your daughter in marriage ends a great task; but give her to a worthy man.
If you have a wife, let her not seem odious to you; but where there is ill-feeling, trust her not.
With your whole heart honor your father; your mother's birthpangs forget not.
Remember, of these parents you were born; what can you give them for all they gave you?
With all your soul, fear God, revere his priests.
With all your strength, love your Creator, forsake not his ministers.
Honor God and respect the priest; give him his portion as you have been commanded: First fruits and contributions, due sacrifices and holy offerings.
To the poor man also extend your hand, that your blessing may be complete;
Be generous to all the living, and withhold not your kindness from the dead.
- Be careful in taking debt upon yourself.
- Avoid quarrels, and hold your cards.
This is a must read. 18 verses, 1/2 on avoiding "strange women" and "singing girls", half on dealing with friends. A sampling:
Give no woman power over you to trample upon your dignity.
Be not intimate with a strange woman, lest you fall into her snares.
With a singing girl be not familiar, lest you be caught in her wiles.
Entertain no thoughts against a virgin, lest you be enmeshed in damages for her.
Give not yourself to harlots, lest you surrender your inheritance.
Gaze not about the lanes of the city and wander not through its squares;
Avert your eyes from a comely woman; gaze not upon the beauty of another's wife-- Through woman's beauty many perish, for lust for it burns like fire.
This one gets into our duty to the government - to the judge and the executive, and their duty to God.
Use discretion in how you interact with other men, and recognize the power and purpose of Divine Providence working in your life.
- Do good to the just man, but not to the wicked.
- The more wealth we have, the harder it is to discern our enemies.
This one ends with some of my favorite words... and it reminds me of the back of the Life is Good shirt that I love to wear: "You never know the good a simple smile can do."
The heart of a man changes his countenance, either for good or for evil.
The sign of a good heart is a cheerful countenance;
withdrawn and perplexed is the laborious schem
er.
er.
This chapter reflects again on earthly possessions and proper use and treatment of them, then redirects our thoughts back to true value: Wisdom.
Whew. Caught up. Time for bed.
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