Sirach – Chapter 28

Old Testament30 Verses

Chapter Summary

Sirach 28 opens with the words: "He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance." Across its 30 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and God's mercy and forgiveness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

2Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.

3Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?

4He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins?

5He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?

6Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:

7For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.

8Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.

9Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour.

10Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.

11For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.

12For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.

13A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.

14If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.

15The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace.

16The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation.

17It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men.

18It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.

19The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours.

20He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.

21The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones.

22Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue.

23Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.

24For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.

25The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it.

26Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.

27They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.

28Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy mouth.

29Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy mouth:

30And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death.

Important Verses in Sirach 28

He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

Sirach 28:1

He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?

Sirach 28:5

Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour.

Sirach 28:9

Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.

Sirach 28:23

Historical Context

Sirach belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence. Chapter 28 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 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance." It concludes: "And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy…" 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 literal sense presents maxims, observations, or arguments meant to form character and discernment. A pivotal line is verse 1: "He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize sin and divine judgment as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. 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

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

Reflection for Today

Sirach Chapter 28 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.

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 385) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 28 about?

Sirach 28 contains 30 verses. It opens with "He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance." and closes with "And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy…". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 28?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance." 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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