Sirach – Chapter 13

Old Testament32 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 13 of Sirach begins: "He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride." Across its 32 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and love and charity. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride.

2He shall take a burden upon him that hath fellowship with one more honourable than himself. And have no fellowship with one that is richer than thyself.

3What agreement shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? for if they knock one against the other, it shall be broken.

4The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he will fume: but the poor is wronged and must hold his peace.

5If thou give, he will make use of thee: and if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.

6If thou have any thing, he will live with thee, and will make thee bare, and he will not be sorry for thee.

7If he have need of thee he will deceive thee, and smiling upon thee will put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and will say: What wantest thou?

8And he will shame thee by his meats, till he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at last he will laugh at thee: and afterward when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.

9Humble thyself to God, and wait for his hands.

10Beware that thou be not deceived into folly, and be humbled.

11Be not lowly in thy wisdom, lest being humbled thou be deceived into folly.

12If thou be invited by one that is mightier, withdraw thyself: for so he will invite thee the more.

13Be not troublesome to him, lest thou be put back: and keep not far from him, lest thou be forgotten.

14Affect not to speak with him as an equal, and believe not his many words: for by much talk he will sift thee, and smiling will examine thee concerning thy secrets.

15His cruel mind will lay up thy words: and he will not spare to do thee hurt, and to cast thee into prison.

16Take heed to thyself, and attend diligently to what thou hearest: for thou walkest in danger of thy ruin.

17When thou hearest those things, see as it were in sleep, and thou shalt awake.

18Love God all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.

19Every beast loveth its like: so also every man him that is nearest to himself.

20All flesh shall consort with the like to itself, and every man shall associate himself to his like.

21If the wolf shall at any time have fellowship with the lamb, so the sinner with the just.

22What fellowship hath a holy man with a dog, or what part hath the rich with the poor?

23The wild ass is the lion's prey in the desert: so also the poor are devoured by the rich.

24And as humility is an abomination to the proud: so also the rich man abhorreth the poor.

25When a rich man is shaken, he is kept up by his friends: but when a poor man is fallen down, he is thrust away even by his acquaintance.

26When a rich man hath been deceived, he hath many helpers: he hath spoken proud things, and they have justified him.

27The poor man was deceived, and he is rebuked also: he hath spoken wisely, and could have no place.

28The rich man spoke, and all held their peace, and what he said they extol even to the clouds.

29The poor man spoke, and they say: Who is this? and if he stumble, they will overthrow him.

30Riches are good to him that hath no sin in his conscience: and poverty is very wicked in the mouth of the ungodly.

31The heart of a man changeth his countenance, either for good, or for evil.

32The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour.

Important Verses in Sirach 13

He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride.

Sirach 13:1

Humble thyself to God, and wait for his hands.

Sirach 13:9

Love God all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.

Sirach 13:18

The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour.

Sirach 13:32

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Sirach was written with students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence in view. Chapter 13 of 51 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride." The final verse reads: "The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour. " Read against its original backdrop, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is the longest wisdom book of the Bible, written by a Jerusalem sage who ran a school for young men. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Sirach around About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

Who Wrote It

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson

When It Was Written

About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense presents maxims, observations, or arguments meant to form character and discernment. A pivotal line is verse 1: "He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

Catholic exegesis reads Sirach 13 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). St. Cyril of Alexandria and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 26).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Sirach Chapter 13 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that practical wisdom and fear of the Lord is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing justice, charity, and the common good.

Let Sirach Chapter 13 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 13 about?

Sirach 13 contains 32 verses. It opens with "He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride." and closes with "The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Sirach and when?

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson. About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

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