Title, Author, Date
Historical Context
Genre, Structure, Literary Features
Theological Themes
Torah and Commandments
Retribution
Temple Liturgy
Prayer
Life in Society
Sirach within the Bible
Canonicity
Sirach as Sacred Scripture
The Text of Sirach
Sirach: Texts and Translations
Relevance for the Christian Life
Part I
I.A. The Divine Origin of Wisdom (1:1–10)
Reflection and Application (1:1–10)
I.B. The Fear of the Lord: The Beginning and End of Wisdom (1:11–30)
Reflection and Application (1:11–30)
I.C. Trusting God amid Trials (2:1–18)
Reflection and Application (2:1–18)
I.D. Honoring Father and Mother (3:1–16)
Reflection and Application (3:1–16)
I.E. Humility and Pride (3:17–31)
Reflection and Application (3:17–31)
I.F. Almsgiving and Justice (4:1–10)
Reflection and Application (4:1–10)
II.A. Lady Wisdom's Motherly Discipline (4:11–19)
Reflection and Application (4:11–19)
II.B. On Shame and Timely Speech (4:20–31)
Reflection and Application (4:20–31)
II.C. Against Presumption, Deceptive Speech, and Unruly Passions (5:1–6:4)
Reflection and Application (5:1–6:4)
II.D. Authentic Friendship (6:5–17)
Reflection and Application (6:5–17)
III.A. Lady Wisdom's Discipline as Path to Joy (6:18–37)
Reflection and Application (6:18–37)
III.B. Do Good, Avoid Evil (7:1–17)
Reflection and Application (7:1–17)
III.C. On Domestic Life: Duties to Family, Priests, and the Poor (7:18–36)
Reflection and Application (7:18–36)
III.D. Prudence in Relating to Others (8:1–19)
Reflection and Application (8:1–19)
III.E. Relationships with Women, Friends, Sinners, and Neighbors (9:1–18)
Reflection and Application (9:1–18)
III.F. On Rulers, Pride, Honor, and Humility (10:1–11:1)
Reflection and Application (10:1–11:1)
III.G. On Deceptive Appearances and Trusting in God's Providence (11:2–28)
Reflection and Application (11:2–28)
III.H. Discerning Friends from Enemies (11:29–12:18)
Reflection and Application (11:29–12:18)
III.I. Beware of the Rich and Powerful (13:1–14:2)
III.J. Using Wealth Wisely: On Stinginess and Liberality (14:3–19)
Reflection and Application (14:3–19)
IV.A. Courting Lady Wisdom (14:20–15:10)
IV.B. (i) Human Free Will and Divine Justice: On the Origin of Good and Evil (15:11–20)
Reflection and Application (15:11–20)
IV.B. (ii) Human Free Will and Divine Justice: The Fate of Sinners (16:1–23)
IV.C. (i) God's Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy: In His Creation of Man (16:24–17:14)
IV.C. (ii) God's Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy: In His Rewards and Punishments (17:15–18:14)
Reflection and Application (16:24–18:14)
IV.D. (i) Prudence and Integrity in Words and Deeds: Give Graciously, Plan Cautiously (18:15–29)
IV.D. (ii) Prudence and Integrity in Words and Deeds: Exercise Temperance, Avoid Gossip (18:30–19:17)
IV.E. True and False Wisdom (19:18–30)
IV.F. (i) Wisdom in Silence and Speech: When to Talk; Gain and Loss (20:1–17)
IV.F. (ii) Wisdom in Silence and Speech: Appropriate and Inappropriate Talk (20:18–32)
Reflection and Application (20:1–32)
IV.G. (i) The Wise and the Foolish: Sin's Deceptive Path (21:1–28)
IV.G. (ii) The Wise and the Foolish: The Fool's Wayward Path (22:1–18)
Reflection and Application (22:1–18)
IV.H. Preserving Friendship (22:19–26)
IV.I. (i) Self-Control over Thoughts, Words, and Deeds: Prayer for Self-Control; Sinful Speech (22:27–23:15)
IV.I. (ii) Self-Control over Thoughts, Words, and Deeds: Sexual Sins; Adultery and Its Consequences (23:16–28)
Reflection and Application (22:27–23:28)
Part V
V.A. (i) Lady Wisdom's Hymn of Praise: From Heaven to Earth (24:1–18)
V.A. (ii) Lady Wisdom's Hymn of Praise: Wisdom's Feast (24:19–34)
In the Light of Christ (24:19–22)
V.B. Wisdom in Interpersonal Relations (25:1–12)
V.C. (i) On Good and Evil Women: The Wicked Wife (25:13–26)
V.C. (ii) On Good and Evil Women: The Virtuous Wife; the Wicked Wife; the Headstrong Daughter (26:1–18)
V.C. (iii) On Good and Evil Women: Calling Men to Sexual Integrity (26:19–27)
Reflection and Application (25:13–26:27)
V.D. Honesty and Integrity in Dealing with Others (26:28–27:15)
V.E. (i) Offenses against Friendship: Betrayal, Deceit, and Anger (27:16–28:7)
V.E. (ii) Offenses against Friendship: Strife and Slander (28:8–26)
Reflection and Application (27:16–28:26)
V.F. Lending and Borrowing; Almsgiving and Guaranteeing Loans (29:1–20)
Reflection and Application (29:1–20)
V.G. On Living Independently and Raising Children (29:21–30:13)
Reflection and Application (29:21–30:13)
V.H. Health and Gladness of Heart, Not Wealth, Lead to a Happy Life (30:14–31:11)
Reflection and Application (30:14–31:11)
V.I. Proper Etiquette with Food and Wine at Banquets (31:12–32:13)
Reflection and Application (31:12–32:13)
V.J. Fearing the Lord, Keeping the Law, and Trusting in Divine Providence (32:14–33:17)
In the Light of Christ (32:14–24)
VI.A. Maintaining Independence and Disciplining Slaves (33:18–31)
Reflection and Application (33:18–31)
VI.B. Do Not Trust in Dreams; Travel and Fear of the Lord (34:1–17)
Reflection and Application (34:1–17)
VI.C. True Worship: Worthy Sacrifices, Virtuous Life, and Humble Prayer (34:18–35:20)
Reflection and Application (34:18–35:20)
VI.D. Prayer for National Deliverance (36:1–17)
Reflection and Application (36:1–17)
VI.E. On Choosing a Wife, Friends, and Counselors (36:18–37:15)
Reflection and Application (36:18–37:15)
VI.F. On Wisdom and Restraining One's Appetites (37:16–31)
VI.G. On Physicians, Sickness, and Death (38:1–23)
Reflection and Application (38:1–23)
VII.A. Manual Trades and the Wisdom of the Scribe (38:24–39:11)
Reflection and Application (38:24–39:11)
VII.B. Praise of God, Creator of All (39:12–35)
Reflection and Application (39:12–35)
VII.C. (i) Human Sorrow and Joy (40:1–30)
Reflection and Application (40:1–30)
VII.C. (ii) Death (41:1–13)
Reflection and Application (41:1–13)
VII.D. Good and Bad Shame; Fathers and Daughters (41:14–42:14)
VII.E. (i) God's Wondrous Work of Creation: The Heavens (42:15–43:12)
VII.E. (ii) God's Wondrous Work of Creation: The Earth (43:13–33)
Reflection and Application (42:15–43:33)
Part VIII
VIII.A. Praise of Israel's Forefathers (44:1–15)
VIII.B. The Early Patriarchs: Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (44:16–23)
VIII.C. (i) Heroes of the Exodus: Moses (45:1–5)
VIII.C. (ii) Heroes of the Exodus: Aaron and Phinehas (45:6–26)
VIII.D. From Conquest to Kingdom: Joshua, Caleb, the Judges, and Samuel (46:1–20)
Reflection and Application (46:1–20)
VIII.E. The Davidic Kingdom (47:1–11)
VIII.F. Solomon and the Divided Kingdom (47:12–25)
VIII.G. The Northern Kingdom of Israel: Elijah and Elisha (48:1–16)
VIII.H. The Southern Kingdom of Judah: Hezekiah and Isaiah (48:17–25)
VIII.I. King Josiah and the Prophets; Recalling Ancient Heroes (49:1–16)
VIII.J. Simon the High Priest (50:1–24)
VIII.K. Judah's Neighbors; Author's Postscript (50:25–29)
A. Prayer of Thanksgiving (51:1–12)
B. Psalm of Praise
C. The Author's Search for Wisdom (51:13–30)
From the Christian Tradition
Scholarly Works
Midlevel Works
Popular Commentaries
Introductions to Wisdom Literature
Praise for the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture