Sirach – Chapter 22

Old Testament33 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 22 of Sirach begins: "The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace." Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and wisdom for daily living. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace.

2The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that toucheth him will shake his hands.

3A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish daughter shall be to his loss.

4A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father.

5She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.

6A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time.

7He that teacheth a fool, is like one that glueth a potsherd together.

8He that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is like one that waketh a man out of a deep sleep.

9He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this?

10Weep for the dead, for his light hath failed: and weep for the fool, for his understanding faileth.

11Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest.

12For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

13The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life.

14Talk not much with a fool and go not with him that hath no sense.

15Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin.

16Turn away from him, and thou shalt find rest, and shalt not be wearied out with his folly.

17What is heavier than lead? and what other name hath he but fool?

18Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked.

19A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel.

20The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be depraved by fear.

21As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind:

22So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not resist against the violence of fear.

23As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God.

24He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment.

25He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship.

26Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend,

27If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away.

28Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his prosperity also thou mayst rejoice.

29In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance.

30As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood.

31I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it.

32But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him.

33Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?

Important Verses in Sirach 22

The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace.

Sirach 22:1

She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.

Sirach 22:5

The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life.

Sirach 22:13

As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God.

Sirach 22:23

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 22 of 51 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace." The final verse reads: "Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy…" 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. 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 sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

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 2578).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. 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

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

Reflection for Today

The central section of Sirach—Chapter 22 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 care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1095).

May your reading of Sirach Chapter 22 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 22 about?

Sirach 22 contains 33 verses. It opens with "The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace." and closes with "Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy…". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 22?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace." 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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