Sirach – Chapter 41

Old Testament • 28 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 41 of Sirach begins: "O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!" Across its 28 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!

2To a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat!

3O death thy sentence is welcome to the man that is in need, and to him whose strength faileth:

4Who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loseth patience!

5Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.

6And what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most High? whether ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.

7For among the dead there is no accusing of life.

8The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.

9The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.

10The children will complain of an ungodly father, because for his sake they are in reproach.

11Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high Lord.

12And if you be born, you shall be born in malediction: and if you die, in malediction shall be your portion.

13All things that are of the earth, shall return into the earth: so the ungodly shall from malediction to destruction.

14The mourning of men is about their body, but the name of the ungodly shall be blotted out.

15Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.

16A good life hath its number of days: but a good name shall continue for ever.

17My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is there in them both?

18Better is the man that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.

19Wherefore have a shame of these things I am now going to speak of.

20For it is not good to keep all shamefacedness: and all things do not please all men in opinion.

21Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother: and of a lie before a governor and a man in power:

22Of an offence before a prince, and a judge: of iniquity before a congregation and a people:

23Of injustice before a companion and friend: and in regard to the place where thou dwellest,

24Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:

25Of silence before them that salute thee: of looking upon a harlot: and of turning away thy face from thy kinsman.

26Turn not away thy face from thy neighbour, and of taking away a portion and not restoring.

27Gaze not upon another man's wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed.

28Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends: and after thou hast given, upbraid not.

Important Verses in Sirach 41

“O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!”

Sirach 41:1

“Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.”

Sirach 41:5

“Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high Lord.”

Sirach 41:11

“Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:”

Sirach 41:24

Historical Context

Sirach belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence. Chapter 41 of 51 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 28 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!" The chapter ends with: "Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends: and after thou hast given, upbraid not. " 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. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: 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: "O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!" 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 2632).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. 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

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

Reflection for Today

Sirach Chapter 41, containing 28 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 2466). Here the emphasis falls on the Eucharist as source and summit, which shapes how the Church understands practical wisdom and fear of the Lord.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the Eucharist as source and summit bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 41 about?

Sirach 41 contains 28 verses. It opens with "O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!" and closes with "Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends: and after thou hast given, upbraid not. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 41?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!" 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.

Related Chapters

Genesis 44Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 1Shares people and themes with this chapterDeuteronomy 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

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