Sirach – Chapter 14

Old Testament27 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 14 of Sirach begins: "Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin." Across its 27 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin.

2Happy is he that hath had no sadness of his mind, and who is not fallen from his hope.

3Riches are not comely for a covetous man and a niggard, and what should an envious man do with gold?

4He that gathereth together by wronging his own soul, gathereth for others, and another will squander away his goods in rioting.

5He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? and he shall not take pleasure in his goods.

6There is none worse than he that envieth himself, and this is the reward of his wickedness:

7And if he do good, he doth it ignorantly, and unwillingly: and at the last he discovereth his wickedness.

8The eye of the envious is wicked: and he turneth away his face, and despiseth his own soul.

9The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity: he will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul, drying it up.

10An evil eye is towards evil things: and he shall not have his fill of bread, but shall be needy and pensive at his own table.

11My son, if thou have any thing, do good to thyself, and offer to God worthy offerings.

12Remember that death is not slow, and that the covenant of hell hath been shewn to thee: for the covenant of this world shall surely die.

13Do good to thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability, stretching out thy hand give to the poor.

14Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good gift overpass thee.

15Shalt thou not leave to others to divide by lot thy sorrows and labours?

16Give and take, and justify thy soul.

17Before thy death work justice: for in hell there is no finding food.

18All flesh shall fade as grass, and as the leaf that springeth out on a green tree.

19Some grow, and some fall off: so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.

20Every work that is corruptible shall fail in the end: and the worker thereof shall go with it.

21And every excellent work shall be justified: and the worker thereof shall be honoured therein.

22Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all seeing eye of God.

23He that considereth her ways in his heart, and hath understanding in her secrets, who goeth after her as one that traceth, and stayeth in her ways.

24He who looketh in at her windows, and hearkeneth at her door.

25He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent high unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodging for ever.

26He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches:

27He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory.

Important Verses in Sirach 14

Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin.

Sirach 14:1

Remember that death is not slow, and that the covenant of hell hath been shewn to thee: for the covenant of this world shall surely die.

Sirach 14:12

Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all seeing eye of God.

Sirach 14:22

He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory.

Sirach 14:27

Historical Context

Sirach addresses students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 14 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 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin." The final verse reads: "He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory. " The wider setting of Sirach is this: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is the longest wisdom book of the Bible, written by a Jerusalem sage who ran a school for young men. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: 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

This chapter offers practical instruction on how to live wisely before God in daily life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

Catholic exegesis reads Sirach 14 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 461).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All wisdom comes from the Lord. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Sirach 14 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Sirach Chapter 14 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Sirach Chapter 14. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1700).

As you continue through Sirach, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 14 about?

Sirach 14 contains 27 verses. It opens with "Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin." and closes with "He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 14?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin." 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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