Sirach – Chapter 4

Old Testament36 Verses

Chapter Summary

Sirach 4 opens with the words: "Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor." Across its 36 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and wisdom for daily living. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor.

2Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want.

3Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to gibe to him that is in distress.

4Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.

5Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.

6For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.

7Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.

8Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.

9Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul.

10In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother.

11And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.

12Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.

13And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness.

14They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing.

15They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.

16He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure.

17If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance.

18For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him.

19She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.

20Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy,

21And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.

22But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

23Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.

24For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.

25For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.

26Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.

27Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:

28And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

29For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.

30In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.

31Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.

32Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river.

33Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.

34Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.

35Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.

36Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.

Important Verses in Sirach 4

Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.

Sirach 4:12

They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.

Sirach 4:15

And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

Sirach 4:28

Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.

Sirach 4:33

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 4 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 36 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor." The chapter ends with: "Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give. " 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 12: "Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

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 1700).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. 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

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • 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

Sacred Scripture presents Sirach Chapter 4 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The passage calls believers to grasp that All wisdom comes from the Lord.

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 1265) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 4 about?

Sirach 4 contains 36 verses. It opens with "Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor." and closes with "Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 12: "Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice." 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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