Sirach – Chapter 2

Old Testament • 23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 2 of Sirach begins: "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation." Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: God's mercy and forgiveness and faith and trust in God. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.

2Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.

3Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.

4Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience.

5For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

6Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein.

7Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him lest ye fall.

8Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void.

9Ye that fear the Lord hope in him, and mercy shall come to you for your delight.

10Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be enlightened.

11My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.

12For who hath continued in his commandment, and hath been forsaken? or who hath called upon him, and he despised him?

13For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.

14Woe to them that are of a double heart and to wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two ways.

15Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by him.

16Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways.

17And what will they do, when the Lord shall begin to examine?

18They that fear the Lord, will not be incredulous to his word: and they that love him, will keep his way.

19They that fear the Lord, will seek after the things that are well pleasing to him: and they that love him, shall be filled with his law.

20They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls,

21They that fear the Lord, keep his commandments, and will have patience even until his visitation,

22Saying: If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.

23For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him.

Important Verses in Sirach 2

“Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.”

Sirach 2:1

“Ye that fear the Lord hope in him, and mercy shall come to you for your delight.”

Sirach 2:9

“For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.”

Sirach 2:13

“They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls,”

Sirach 2:20

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 2 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 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation." The chapter ends with: "For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him. " 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. 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

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation." The passage repeatedly touches on God's mercy and forgiveness.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2215). Here, this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's mercy and forgiveness as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

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 2 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.
  • ✓Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • ✓Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.

Reflection for Today

The early section of Sirach—Chapter 2 of 51—opens a particular moment in the story of practical wisdom and fear of the Lord.

According to Catholic teaching, this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 958).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1324) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 2 about?

Sirach 2 contains 23 verses. It opens with "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation." and closes with "For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation." 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.

Related Chapters

2 Timothy 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Divine Mercy Chaplet🙏Act of Contrition🙏The Apostles' Creed🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love

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