Sirach chapter 16
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] The influence of sinners. The created realm reveals the LORD God’s wisdom.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
THE INFLUENCE OF SINNERS
VERSE 1. Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, Neither delight in ungodly sons.
NAB translation. Do not yearn for worthless children, or rejoice in wicked offspring.
unprofitable children. If we are going to have children, we should want to have children who will be great.
VERSE 2. If they multiply, delight not in them, Except the fear of the Lord be with them.
Except the fear of the Lord be with them. What does it mean to have “great” children?
It means to have children who walk with the LORD God.
VERSE 3. Trust not you in their life, Neither rely on their condition: For one is better than a thousand; And to die childless than to have ungodly children.
VERSE 4. For from one that has understanding will a city be populated; But a race of wicked men will be made desolate.
one that has understanding. One wise person can influence the destiny of a whole city.
VERSE 5. Many such things I have seen with my eyes; And my ear has heard mightier things than these.
VERSE 6. In the congregation of sinners will a fire be kindled; And in a disobedient nation wrath is kindled.
VERSE 7. He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, Who revolted in their strength.
the giants of old time. The Nephilim are mysterious hybrids of angels and humans. They are giants. And mighty heroes. Read more »
VERSE 8. He spared not those with whom Lot sojourned, Whom he abhorred for their pride.
Whom he abhorred for their pride. What was the sin of Sodom? Why was destroyed? Many people assume it was due to homosexual activity. However, the Bible provides a different answer. Read more »
VERSE 9. He pitied not the people of perdition, Who were taken away in their sins.
VERSE 10. And in like manner the six hundred thousand footmen, Who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
VERSE 11. Even if there be one stiff-necked person, It is marvel if he will be unpunished: For mercy and wrath are with him; He is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath.
mercy and wrath are with him. The LORD God can manifest both wrath and mercy.
VERSE 12. As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: He judges a man according to his works.
VERSE 13. The sinner will not escape with his plunder; And the perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.
VERSE 14. He will make room for every work of mercy; Each man will find according to his works.
VERSE 15.
This verse is omitted in the best manuscripts.
VERSE 16.
This verse is omitted in the best manuscripts.
VERSE 17. Don’t say, I shall be hidden from the Lord; And who will remember me from on high? I will not be known among so many people; For what is my soul in a boundless creation?
VERSE 18. Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, The deep, and the earth, will be moved when he shall visit.
VERSE 19. The mountains and the foundations of the earth together Are shaken with trembling, when he looks upon them.
VERSE 20. And no heart will think upon these things: And who shall conceive his ways?
VERSE 21. And there is a tempest which no man will see; Yes, the more part of his works are hid.
NAB translation. If I sin, no eye will see me; if all in secret I am disloyal, who is to know?
A fundamental mistake of people trapped in sin is their assumption that they can sin in secret.
If they go to such-and-such a place, they will escape the all-seeing eye of the Most High God.
In reality, there is no such thing as a secret sin. The LORD God sees all. The elect in heaven see all. The angelic beings see what we do.
Simply put, the idea that one can sin in secret is poor theology.
If you think the LORD God won’t notice, your concept of God is way too small.
THE CREATED REALM REVEALS THE LORD GOD’S WISDOM
VERSE 22. Who will declare the works of his righteousness? Or who will endure them? For his covenant is afar off.
The remainder of this verse is omitted in the best manuscripts.
VERSE 23. He that is lacking in understanding thinks upon these things; And an unwise and erring man thinks follies.
lacking in understanding. That is, “lacking in heart.”
VERSE 24. My son, listen to me, and learn knowledge, And give heed to my words with your heart.
VERSE 25. I will show forth instruction by weight, And declare knowledge exactly.
VERSE 26. In the judgement of the Lord are his works from the beginning; And from the making of them he disposed the parts thereof.
VERSE 27. He garnished his works forever, And the beginnings of them to their generations: They neither hunger, nor are weary, And they cease not from their works.
cease not from their works. The LORD God did not create the universe and then go away.
Rather, he is continually involved in the created realm. And our lives.
VERSE 28. No one thrusts aside his neighbor; And they will never disobey his word.
VERSE 29. After this also the Lord looked upon the earth, And filled it with his blessings.
VERSE 30. All manner of living things covered the face thereof; And into it is their return.
SIRACH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.