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Sirach · WEB-C

Sirach

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Have they made you ruler of a feast? Don’t be lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Take care of them first, and then sit down. And when you have done all your duties, take your place, that you may be gladdened on their account, and receive a wreath for your good service. Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music. Don’t pour out talk where there is a performance of music. Don’t display your wisdom at the wrong time. As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet. As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine. Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked. Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue. When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble. Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest. Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech. For these things bless your Maker, who gives you to drink freely of his good things. He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor. He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it. Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light. A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment according to his will. A sensible person won’t neglect a thought. An insolent and proud man won’t crouch in fear, even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel. Do nothing without counsel, but when you have acted, don’t regret it. Don’t go in a way of conflict. Don’t stumble in stony places. Don’t be overconfident on a smooth road. Beware of your own children. In every work guard your own soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments. He who believes the law gives heed to the commandment. He who trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.

Notes · Haydock (1859, public domain)14 notes

Notes in English 19th-century Catholic commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock, shown as published.

These notes keep the polemics of their time: some speak harshly of the Jewish people or of other Christians. The Church teaches otherwise today. The Jewish people may not be blamed for the death of Christ (Nostra Aetate 4; Catechism 597–598), and Christians of other communities are our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Unitatis Redintegratio 3). Christian unity

Sirach 32:1

Ver. 1. Ruler. Or king of the feast, alluding to an ancient custom. Est. i. 8. C. ---

Nec regna vini sortiere talis. Hor. Athen. Dipn. Plut. Symp. i. q. 14. --- Humility is most requisite for those in power, and it is most difficult to contemn vain honours, when enjoyed. S. Greg. pastor. W.

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Sirach 32:3

Ver. 3. Contribution, towards the feast, (M.) or company. This sentence is not in Gr. "rejoice on their account, and for the excellent disposition, mayst receive a corner." H.

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Sirach 32:5

Ver. 5. Music. Which usually accompanied the meals of the rich. Hor. ii. ode 11.

--- "A lyre is handed round, on which each one plays. When Themistocles confessed that he knew not how, he was deemed deficient." indoctior. Tusc. i.

Quint. i.

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Sirach 32:6

Ver. 6. Words. Some Gr. copies have, "where there is a concert, pour," &c. C. ---

And be. Gr.

"and utter not wise sayings out of season."

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Sirach 32:7

Ver. 7. Wine was not used at all meals. C. --- After they were ended, the pagans sung in honour of Bacchus, or of great mane. Plut. Sym. --- But the Jews directed their hymns to God. Mat.

xxvi. 30. Philo, Contemp.

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Sirach 32:9

Ver. 9. Hear. Gr. (10.) "young man speak if there be wanted of thee; scarcely twice if thou be asked. Sum up thy speech, much in few words. Be knowing and still silent. (11.) In the," &c.

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Sirach 32:13

Ver. 13. Thee. Gr. implies to be equal. C.

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Sirach 32:14

Ver. 14. Storm. Lit. "hail." Gr. "thunder." H. --- It comes forth at the same time as the lightning, but travels slower. C. --- For. Gr. (15.) "at," &c. H. --- Young people must leave the table, and take recreation.

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Sirach 32:17

Ver. 17. Bless. This is taught by the light of reason, (C. v. 7.) and the omission before or after meals betrays a want of faith and gratitude, particularly in Christians. --- Replenisheth. Gr.

"inebriateth thee with his goods." H.

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Sirach 32:20

Ver. 20. Light. They shall advance in virtue and glory. Prov. iv. 18. C.

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Sirach 32:21

This 19th-century note uses polemical language; read it in the light of the note at the top of this panel.

Ver. 21. Excuse. Lit. "comparison." "He will bend the law to his desires." Thus heretics interpret Scripture. H. --- Gr. "he will find condemnation."

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Sirach 32:24

Ver. 24. Without counsel; or "by himself," (C.) cum eo. --- And. Gr. "do nothing without counsel, and in acting do not repent," (H.) but execute what has been prudently devised. C. --- God directs; yet he would have us to ask advice. W.

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Sirach 32:25

Ver. 25. Rugged way. The end of which is unknown. Lu. xiv. 28. C. --- Lest. Gr.

"and keep a guard over thy children. In every good work confide in thy soul; for," &c. H.

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Sirach 32:27

Ver. 27. In faith. That is, follow sincerely thy soul in her faith and conscience, (Ch.) when it is well informed. Gr. "in every good work believe thy soul; for,"

&c. C. --- Act not in opposition to it. W. --- Rondet and Grotius would read, "in every work believe in God with all thy soul." --- All that is not of faith is sin, (Rom. xiv. 23.) inasmuch as it is against conscience. H.

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License: Notes by Fr. George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), from the Douay-Rheims Bible with Haydock's commentary (first ed. Thomas Haydock, Manchester/Dublin, 1811–1814; New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1859); New Testament notes compiled with Fr. Benedict Rayment. Public domain. Digital text: "The Haydock Bible", Internet Archive (archive.org/details/TheHaydockBible), uploaded 2011 under the Public Domain Mark. · Credits and licenses

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