Do not rely on your wealth, or say, “I have the power.” 2 Do not rely on your strength in following the desires of your heart. 3 Do not say, “Who can prevail against me?” for the Lord will exact punishment. 4 Do not say, “I have sinned, yet what has happened to me?” for the Lord is slow to anger! 5 Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin upon sin. 6 Do not say, “His mercy is great; my many sins he will forgive.” For mercy and anger alike are with him; his wrath comes to rest on the wicked. 7 Do not delay turning back to the Lord, do not put it off day after day. For suddenly his wrath will come forth; at the time of vengeance, you will perish. 8 Do not rely on deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.
The Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, is part of the Wisdom literature in the Old Testament and was written by Jesus, son of Sirach, in the early second century B.C. It offers practical guidance on living righteously according to God's law, emphasizing virtues such as humility, justice, and reverence for the Lord. Drawing upon Jewish wisdom traditions and the teachings of the Torah, Sirach encourages faithfulness to God rather than reliance on material wealth or human strength.
Sirach 5:1-8 warns against misplaced trust in riches, presumption of God’s mercy, and delaying repentance. It insists that true security lies in fidelity to God, not in earthly possessions, self-reliance, or the false belief that one can sin with impunity. These themes align with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament, particularly His warnings about wealth, presumption, and the need for immediate repentance (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21; 2 Cor. 6:2).
Sirach 5:1 specifically warns against placing trust in wealth, a theme echoed in Jesus' teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He exhorts His followers not to store up treasures on earth, which are subject to decay and theft, but to seek heavenly treasures that endure (Matt. 6:19-21). This teaching is reinforced in the Parable of the Rich Fool, where a man amasses great wealth but neglects his spiritual life—only to face sudden death (Luke 12:16-21). Both passages affirm that wealth is fleeting and cannot secure salvation.
Sirach 5:2-3 warns against self-reliance and presumption, reinforcing the biblical truth that salvation comes through humility and dependence on God, not human strength (Prov. 3:5-6; Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus calls His disciples to surrender their will to God rather than follow selfish desires (Luke 9:23), and Scripture repeatedly warns that those who trust in their own power will ultimately be humbled (Isa. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:5).
The warning in Sirach 5:4-6 against presuming on God's mercy finds a parallel in the writings of St. Paul, who admonishes those who take God's patience for granted. He reminds them that divine forbearance is meant to lead to repentance, not to encourage complacency in sin (Rom. 2:4-5). Similarly, James cautions against boasting about future plans without recognizing God's sovereignty, likening human life to a passing mist (James 4:13-16). These passages underscore the folly of assuming unlimited time for repentance or that God's mercy will indefinitely delay His justice.
Sirach 5:7 highlights the urgency of repentance, aligning with the New Testament’s call to immediate conversion. St. Paul warns that salvation is not to be postponed, declaring, "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). Jesus likewise issues a stark warning in Luke 13:3: "Unless you repent, you will all perish." His words emphasize the unpredictable nature of divine judgment and the necessity of turning to God without hesitation.
Sirach 5:8 warns against placing trust in wealth, which can lead to ruin. St. Paul echoes this warning in 1 Tim. 6:17, urging believers not to rely on riches, which are uncertain, but rather on God, who alone provides lasting security. Jesus reinforces this teaching in Matthew 6:19-21, cautioning against storing up earthly treasures, which decay and can be lost, rather than seeking the eternal treasure of heaven.
Sirach’s message aligns with the overarching biblical theme of divine justice and the necessity of conversion. Throughout Scripture, God’s mercy is abundant (Exod. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:8-10), but it must not be abused. The warning against presumption parallels Jesus’ call to vigilance (Matt. 24:42-44) and the Parable of the Ten Virgins, where the unprepared are shut out from the kingdom (Matt. 25:1-13).
Ultimately, Sirach 5:1-8 reflects a central truth in salvation history: repentance cannot be postponed, for God's justice is certain. Jesus Christ fulfills this wisdom by calling all to conversion (Mark 1:15), warning of sudden judgment (Matt. 24:44), and offering the path to eternal life through faith and obedience.
Almighty God, You alone are our refuge and security. Keep us from the folly of trusting in wealth, presuming upon Your mercy, or delaying our repentance. Teach us to seek the treasures of heaven, to walk humbly in Your ways, and to turn to You without hesitation. May we heed the wisdom of Sirach and the call of Christ, who warns us to be vigilant and ready for Your coming. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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