Sirach 41:8
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
6 The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and on their offspring will be a perpetual disgrace. 7 Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer disgrace because of him. 8 Woe to you, the ungodly, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God! 9 If you have children, calamity will be theirs; you will beget them only for groaning. When you stumble, there is lasting joy; and when you die, a curse is your lot. 10 Whatever comes from earth returns to earth; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
Date: 195-175 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Wisdom of Solomon 3:13
Deuterocanon
11 for those who despise wisdom and instruction are miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless. 12 Their wives are foolish, and their children evil; 13 their offspring are accursed. For blessed is the barren woman who is undefiled, who has not entered into a sinful union; she will have fruit when God examines souls. 14 Blessed also is the eunuch whose hands have done no lawless deed, and who has not devised wicked things against the Lord; for special favor will be shown him for his faithfulness, and a place of great delight in the temple of the Lord. 15 For the fruit of good labors is renowned, and the root of understanding does not fail.
Date: 100-50 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Notes and References
"... Ben Sira now reflects on the unhappy earthly fate of the wicked (41:5-10), whose descendants are unsuccessful and whose name is a disgrace (Job 18:1721; Psalm 21:11). According to the sage, sinners’ children lose their power and gain dishonor (Wisdom of Solomon 3:17-19; 4:19). Against the usual biblical pattern for family life (Deuteronomy 27:16; Proverbs 31:28), these children will curse a father whose wickedness has caused them disgrace (Wisdom of Solomon 12:10-11). Sirach 41:8 laments those who forsake the Torah (49:4), a great temptation to Ben Sira’s students because of the strong influence of pagan Greek culture around that time (2 Maccabees 4:12-17). Whereas the human body decays (41:11), a good reputation is permanent, more precious than treasures (Proverbs 10:7; 22:1) ..."
Durken, Daniel
The New Collegeville Bible Commentary: In One Volume
(p. 1275) Liturgical Press, 2017
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
User Comments
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.