Sirach – Chapter 15

Old Testament • 22 Verses

Chapter Summary

Sirach 15 opens with the words: "He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her," Across its 22 verses, two threads run through the text: wisdom for daily living and worship and praise. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her,

2And she will meet him as an honourable mother, and will receive him as a wife married of a virgin.

3With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved.

4And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours.

5And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory.

6She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.

7But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit.

8Lying men shall be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God.

9Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner:

10For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it.

11Say not: It is through God, that she is not with me: for do not thou the things that he hateth.

12Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men.

13The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it.

14God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15He added his commandments and precepts.

16If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee.

17He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt.

18Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him:

19For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.

20The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth al the work of man.

21He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin;

22For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children.

Important Verses in Sirach 15

“He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her,”

Sirach 15:1

“And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory.”

Sirach 15:5

“For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it.”

Sirach 15:10

“The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it.”

Sirach 15:13

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 15 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 22 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her," The chapter ends with: "For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children. " 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. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: 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 sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her," The passage repeatedly touches on wisdom for daily living.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of practical wisdom and fear of the Lord. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2105).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

Reflection for Today

Sirach Chapter 15 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). Here the believer is invited to ponder perseverance through trial.

May your reading of Sirach Chapter 15 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how All wisdom comes from the Lord applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 15 about?

Sirach 15 contains 22 verses. It opens with "He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her," and closes with "For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her," 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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Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer to the Holy Spirit🙏Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises

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