Sirach – Chapter 27

Old Testament33 Verses

Chapter Summary

Sirach 27 opens with the words: "Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye." Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and suffering and trial. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye.

2As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones, so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast.

3Sin shall be destroyed with the sinner.

4Unless thou hold thyself diligently in the fear of the Lord, thy house shall quickly be overthrown.

5As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts.

6The furnace trieth the potter's vessels, and the trial of affliction just men.

7As the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word out of the thought of the heart of man.

8Praise not a man before he speaketh, for this is the trial of men.

9If thou followest justice, thou shalt obtain her: and shalt put her on as a long robe of honour, and thou shalt dwell with her: and she shall protect thee for ever, and in the day of acknowledgment thou shalt find a strong foundation.

10Birds resort unto their like: so truth will return to them that practise her.

11The lion always lieth in wait for prey: so do sins for them that work iniquities.

12A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon.

13In the midst of the unwise keep in the word till its time: but be continually among men that think.

14The discourse of sinners is hateful, and their laughter is at the pleasures of sin.

15The speech that sweareth much shall make the hair of the head stand upright: and its irreverence shall make one stop his ears.

16In the quarrels of the road is the shedding of blood: and their cursing is a grievous hearing.

17He that discloseth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind.

18Love thy neighbour, and be joined to him with fidelity.

19But if thou discover his secrets, follow no more after him.

20For as a man that destroyeth his friend, so is he that destroyeth the friendship of his neighbour.

21And as one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou shalt not get him again.

22Follow after him no more, for he is gone afar off, he is fled, as a roe escaped out of the snare because his soul is wounded.

23Thou canst no more bind him up. And of a curse there is reconciliation:

24But to disclose the secrets of a friend, leaveth no hope to an unhappy soul.

25He that winketh with the eye forgeth wicked things, and no man will cast him off:

26In the sight of thy eyes he will sweeten his mouth, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and on thy words he will lay a stumblingblock.

27I have hated many things but not like him, and the Lord will hate him.

28If one cast a stone on high, it will fall upon his own head: and the deceitful stroke will wound the deceitful.

29He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a snare for another, shall perish in it.

30A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the author, and he shall not know from whence it cometh to him.

31Mockery and reproach are of the proud, and vengeance as a lion shall lie in wait for him.

32They shall perish in a snare that are delighted with the fall of the just: and sorrow shall consume them before they die.

33Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them.

Important Verses in Sirach 27

Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye.

Sirach 27:1

Unless thou hold thyself diligently in the fear of the Lord, thy house shall quickly be overthrown.

Sirach 27:4

A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon.

Sirach 27:12

But to disclose the secrets of a friend, leaveth no hope to an unhappy soul.

Sirach 27:24

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 27 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: "Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye." The chapter ends with: "Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them. " 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 literal sense presents maxims, observations, or arguments meant to form character and discernment. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

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 854).

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

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • Suffering, united to Christ, becomes a path of purification and deeper trust in God.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

Reflection for Today

Sirach Chapter 27, containing 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 2683). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands practical wisdom and fear of the Lord.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 113).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 27 about?

Sirach 27 contains 33 verses. It opens with "Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye." and closes with "Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 27?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye." 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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