Sirach – Chapter 25

Old Testament36 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 25 of Sirach begins: "With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:" Across its 36 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and wisdom for daily living. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:

2The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and man and wife that agree well together.

3Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their life:

4A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man that is a fool, and doting.

5The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age?

6O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to know counsel!

7O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!

8Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

9Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.

10A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and seeth the fall of his enemies.

11Blessed is he that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.

12Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth.

13How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.

14The fear of God hath set itself above all things:

15Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?

16The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.

17The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.

18And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:

19And any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

20And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:

21And any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

22There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:

23And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.

24The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,

25Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.

26All malice is short to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.

27As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.

28Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.

29A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.

30A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.

31A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.

32Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.

33From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.

34Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

35If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.

36Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.

Important Verses in Sirach 25

With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:

Sirach 25:1

Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

Sirach 25:8

Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth.

Sirach 25:12

The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.

Sirach 25:16

Historical Context

Sirach belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence. Chapter 25 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 36 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:" The final verse reads: "Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee. " In terms of historical background, 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: "With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:" The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

Catholic exegesis reads Sirach 25 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 618).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. 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

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Sirach Chapter 25, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

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 25 about?

Sirach 25 contains 36 verses. It opens with "With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:" and closes with "Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 25?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:" 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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