Dreams and Empty Hopes
1 Empty and false hopes are for a man without understanding. Dreams give wings to fools. 2 Someone who sets his mind on dreams is like someone grasping at a shadow and chasing the wind. 3 The vision of dreams is a reflection, the likeness of a face near a face. 4 What clean thing can come from something unclean? What true thing can come from something false? 5 Divination, fortune-telling, and dreams are empty. The heart has fantasies like a woman in labor. 6 If they are not sent in a visit from the Most High, don’t give your heart to them. 7 For dreams have led many astray. They have failed by putting their hope in them. 8 Without lying the law will be fulfilled. Wisdom is complete in a faithful mouth.
Experience and Trust in God
9 A well-instructed man knows many things. He who has much experience will express understanding. 10 He who has no experience knows few things. 11 But he who has traveled increases cleverness. 12 I have seen many things in my travels. My understanding is more than my words. 13 I was often in danger of death. I was preserved because of these experiences.
14 The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, 15 for their hope is in him who saves them. 16 Whoever fears the Lord won’t be afraid, and won’t be a coward, for the Lord is his hope. 17 Blessed is the soul of him who fears the Lord. 18 To whom does he pay attention? Who is his support? 19 The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him, a strong protection and strong support, a shelter from the hot wind, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard from stumbling, and a help from falling. 20 He lifts up the soul, and enlightens the eyes. He gives health, life, and blessing.
Unacceptable Offerings
21 If someone sacrifices something wrongfully acquired, his offering is made in mockery. 22 The mockeries of wicked men are not acceptable. 23 The Most High has no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly, nor is he appeased for sins by a great number of sacrifices.
24 Someone who brings a sacrifice from the goods of the poor is like someone who kills a son before his father’s eyes. 25 The bread of the needy is the life of the poor. He who deprives him of it is one who sheds blood. 26 Someone who takes away his neighbor’s living is like someone who murders him. 27 Someone who deprives a hired worker of his wages is like someone who sheds blood.
28 When one builds, and another pulls down, what profit do they have but toil? 29 When one prays, and another curses, whose voice will the Lord listen to? 30 What does a man gain by washing after touching a dead body if he touches it again? 31 In the same way, who will listen to the prayer of a man who fasts for his sins and goes back and does the same? What profit does he have in his humiliation?
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 34:10 and 4 Ezra 3:33
Deuterocanon · Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 34:10
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, EcclesiasticusHe who has much experience will express understanding. 10 He who has no experience knows few things. 11 But he who has traveled increases cleverness. 12 I have seen many things in my travels.
My understanding is more than my words. 13 I was often in danger of death.
I was preserved because of these experiences.
4 Ezra 3:33
Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses · 2 EsdrasReferences
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