1 It is better to be childless with virtue, for immortality is in the memory of virtue, because it is recognized both before God and before people. 2 When it is present, people imitate it. They long for it when it has departed. Throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph, victorious in the competition for the prizes that are pure.
3 But the growing brood of the ungodly will bring no benefit, and their illegitimate offshoots won’t take deep root, nor will they establish a firm hold. 4 For even if they grow branches and flourish for a time, their unstable footing means they will be shaken by the wind. They will be uprooted by the violence of winds. 5 Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity. Their fruit will be useless, never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing. 6 For unlawfully conceived children are witnesses of wickedness against parents when they are investigated.
Righteousness and Early Death
7 But a righteous person, even if he dies before his time, will be at rest. 8 For honorable old age does not depend on length of life, nor is it measured by the number of years, 9 but understanding is gray hair for people, and a blameless life is ripe old age.
10 Someone pleased God and was loved by him. While living among sinners he was taken away. 11 He was taken away so that evil would not change his understanding, or deceit mislead his soul. 12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures the things which are good, and the whirl of desire corrupts an innocent mind. 13 He reached perfection in a short time and fulfilled a long lifetime, 14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord. Therefore he hurried away from the middle of wickedness. 15 But the peoples saw and didn’t understand, failing to consider that grace and mercy are with his chosen, and that he visits his holy ones,
16 but a righteous person who is dead will condemn the ungodly who are living, and a young person who is quickly perfected will condemn the many years of an unrighteous person’s old age. 17 For the ungodly will see a wise person’s end, and won’t understand what the Lord planned for him, and why he safely kept him. 18 They will see, and they will despise, but the Lord will laugh at them in scorn. After this, they will become a disgraced corpse and an object of shame among the dead forever, 19 because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and will shake them from the foundations. They will lie completely devastated. They will be in anguish and their memory will perish. 20 They will come with cowardly fear when their sins are counted. Their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 23:25 and Wisdom of Solomon 4:3
Deuterocanon
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 23:25
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, EcclesiasticusSecond, she wronged her own husband.
Third, she committed adultery through sexual immorality,
and had children by another man. 24 She will be brought out into the congregation.
Her punishment will extend to her children. 25 Her children will not take root.
Her branches will bear no fruit. 26 She will leave a memory of herself as a curse.
Her disgrace won’t be blotted out. 27 And those who are left behind will know
that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord,
and nothing sweeter than to obey the commandments of the Lord.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:3
Deuterocanonfor immortality is in the memory of virtue,
because it is recognized both before God and before people. 2 When it is present, people imitate it.
They long for it when it has departed.
Throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph,
victorious in the competition for the prizes that are pure. 3 But the growing brood of the ungodly will bring no benefit,
and their illegitimate offshoots won’t take deep root,
nor will they establish a firm hold. 4 For even if they grow branches and flourish for a time, their unstable footing means
they will be shaken by the wind.
They will be uprooted by the violence of winds. 5 Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity.
Their fruit will be useless, never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing.
References
References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.
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