A Clear Conscience
1 Blessed is the man who has not stumbled in speech, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins. 2 Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope.
Generosity and the Use of Wealth
3 Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money? 4 He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods. 5 If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions. 6 No one is more evil than someone who begrudges himself anything. This is a punishment for his wickedness. 7 Even if he does good, he does it without thinking. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. 8 A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards people. 9 A greedy man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul. 10 A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.
11 My son, treat yourself well with what you have, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. 12 Remember that death will not wait, and that Hades’ covenant has not been revealed to you. 13 Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them. 14 Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by. 15 Won’t you leave what you worked for to another, and won’t the fruit of your toil be divided by lot? 16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no pursuit of luxury in Hades.
17 All flesh grows old like clothing, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!” 18 A leafy tree sheds some leaves while others grow. So it is with generations of flesh and blood, one comes to an end and another is born. 19 Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it.
The Search for Wisdom
20 Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding. 21 He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets. 22 Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths. 23 He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors. 24 He who stays close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls. 25 He will pitch his tent near her, and will stay where good things are. 26 He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches. 27 She will cover him from the heat, and he will stay in her glory.
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 14:11 and Eruvin 54a
Deuterocanon · Rabbinic
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 14:11
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticusand bring worthy offerings to the Lord. 12 Remember that death will not wait,
and that Hades’ covenant has not been revealed to you. 13 Do good to your friends before you die.
According to your ability, reach out and give to them. 14 Don’t deprive yourself of a good day.
Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by. 15 Won’t you leave what you worked for to another,
and won’t the fruit of your toil be divided by lot? 16 Give, take, and treat yourself well,
because there is no pursuit of luxury in Hades. 17 All flesh grows old like clothing,
for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”
Eruvin 54a
Rabbinic · Babylonian TalmudReferences
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