SIR

Sirach 13 - Summary

Summary

Read Sirach Chapter 13 Summary

'He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith.' The chapter warns against keeping company with the rich and mighty: how can the kettle and the earthen pot agree? The rich man does wrong and threatens, while the poor man is wronged and must apologise; he uses you while you profit him, draws you dry and laughs at you. When a mighty man invites you, hold back. Every beast loves its like, but what agreement is there between the hyena and the dog, or between rich and poor? When the rich man speaks, all extol him; when the poor man speaks, they say 'What fellow is this?'

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Characters in This Chapter

Noah
Noah

Found perfect and righteous, kept as a remnant when the flood came, with an everlasting covenant

Abraham
Abraham

Father of many nations, faithful when tested, to whom God swore to bless the nations in his seed

Moses
Moses

Beloved of God and men, brought into the cloud and given the law of life; the law he commanded is identified with Wisdom

Aaron
Aaron

Given an everlasting priesthood; his vestments are described at length

David
David

Chosen out of Israel, slayer of Goliath, singer who set singers before the altar, given a covenant of kings

Solomon
Solomon

Wise king of peace who built the temple, then stained his honour through his women

Elijah
Elijah

Prophet 'as fire', taken up in a chariot of fire and appointed to turn the heart of the father to the son

Ben Sira
Ben Sira

Author and sage of Jerusalem, who signs the book, praises the fathers and closes with his own prayer

Places in This Chapter

Jerusalem
Jerusalem

City where Wisdom finds her rest, for which the author prays, and whose walls and temple the Praise of the Fathers recalls

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The Temple
The Temple

Rebuilt after the exile and repaired by the high priest Simon, whose liturgy there crowns the Praise of the Fathers

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The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle

Holy tent where Wisdom ministered before God before settling in Sion

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The Wilderness
The Wilderness

The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.

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Position in Book

The Fear of the LordChapters 1-2
Parents, the Poor and Wisdom's DisciplineChapters 3-4
Speech, Friendship and PrudenceChapters 5-9
Pride, Wealth and GenerosityChapters 10-14

Rulers and the pride that topples them, the God who raises the lowly, discernment in giving, the danger of rich company, and the miser's folly.

Free Will and God's MercyChapters 15-18
The Tongue and the FoolChapters 19-23
Wisdom Praises HerselfChapters 24
Wives and the HouseholdChapters 25-26
Honest Dealing and ForgivenessChapters 27-32
God's Order, True Worship and a Prayer for IsraelChapters 33-36
Counsellors, Physicians and the ScribeChapters 37-39
Life, Death and the Glory of CreationChapters 40-43
The Praise of the FathersChapters 44-50
Thanksgiving and the Search for WisdomChapters 51