Sirach – Chapter 9

Old Testament • 25 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 9 of Sirach begins: "Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson." Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson.

2Give not the power of thy soul to a woman, lest she enter upon thy strength, and thou be confounded.

3Look not upon a woman that hath a mind for many: lest thou fall into her snares.

4Use not much the company of her that is a dancer, and hearken not to her, lest thou perish by the force of her charms.

5Gaze not upon a maiden, lest her beauty be a stumblingblock to thee.

6Give not thy soul to harlots in any point: lest thou destroy thyself and thy inheritance.

7Look not round about thee in the ways of the city, nor wander up and down in the streets thereof.

8Turn away thy face from a woman dressed up, and gaze not about upon another's beauty.

9For many have perished by the beauty of a woman, and hereby lust is enkindled as a fire.

10Every woman that is a harlot, shall be trodden upon as dung in the way.

11Many by admiring the beauty of another man's wife, have become reprobate, for her conversation burneth as fire.

12Sit not at all with another man's wife, nor repose upon the bed with her:

13And strive not with her over wine, lest thy heart decline towards her and by thy blood thou fall into destruction.

14Forsake not an old friend, for the new will not be like to him.

15A new friend is as new wine: it shall grow old, and thou shalt drink it with pleasure.

16Envy not the glory and riches of a sinner: for thou knowest not what his ruin shall be.

17Be not pleased with the wrong done by the unjust, knowing that even to hell the wicked shall not please.

18Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill, so thou shalt not suspect the fear of death.

19And if thou come to him, commit no fault, lest he take away thy life.

20Know it to be a communication with death: for thou art going in the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of them that are grieved.

21According to thy power beware of thy neighbour, and treat with the wise and prudent.

22Let just men be thy guests, and let thy glory be in the fear of God.

23And let the thought of God be in thy mind, and all thy discourse on the commandments of the Highest.

24Works shall be praised for the hand of the artificers, and the prince of the people for the wisdom of his speech, but the word of the ancients for the sense.

25A man full of tongue is terrible in his city, and he that is rash in his word shall be hateful.

Important Verses in Sirach 9

“Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson.”

Sirach 9:1

“Give not thy soul to harlots in any point: lest thou destroy thyself and thy inheritance.”

Sirach 9:6

“And strive not with her over wine, lest thy heart decline towards her and by thy blood thou fall into destruction.”

Sirach 9:13

“Let just men be thy guests, and let thy glory be in the fear of God.”

Sirach 9:22

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 9 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 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson." The chapter ends with: "A man full of tongue is terrible in his city, and he that is rash in his word shall be hateful. " 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. 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: "Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2215). Here, this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

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

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Sirach Chapter 9 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Sirach Chapter 9. At the moral level, the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 2559).

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

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 9 about?

Sirach 9 contains 25 verses. It opens with "Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson." and closes with "A man full of tongue is terrible in his city, and he that is rash in his word shall be hateful. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 9?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson." 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

Exodus 35Shares people and themes with this chapterJob 38Shares people and themes with this chapterPsalms 48Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family

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