NOTES for Sir 4:10-17
10 Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of an husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as the son of the most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth. |
11 Wisdom exalteth her children, and layeth hold of them that seek her. |
12 He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with joy. |
13 He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and wheresoever she entereth, the Lord will bless. |
14 They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One: and them that love her the Lord doth love. |
15 Whoso giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations: and he that attendeth unto her shall dwell securely. |
16 If a man commit himself unto her, he shall inherit her; and his generation shall hold her in possession. |
17 For at the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her laws. |
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What is going on here? Look at what Jesus son of Sirach says about Wisdom: “At first she will walk with him by winding ways, bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline until she can trust his soul and has tested him by her ordinances.” Does this mean that an evil God has decided to torment His children and sends them a terrifying wisdom that torments them, leads them in circles, and makes them tremble with fear? But we believe that God is good and merciful. Then why such horrors? Let us think. God’s wisdom is not at all the same as human wisdom. The one who gains His wisdom begins to see the world differently. The path he follows may appear winding from the point of view of ordinary human logic. And comparing everything that once seemed normal with the radiant and dazzling reality of God’s truth may prove simply agonizing! The reading ends here, but I will nevertheless continue so as to end on a brighter note. Jesus son of Sirach goes on to say: “But afterward she will return to him on the straight way, gladden him, and reveal her secrets to him.”
Other notes
For Sir 4:10-19
10 Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of an husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as the son of the most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth. |
11 Wisdom exalteth her children, and layeth hold of them that seek her. |
12 He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with joy. |
13 He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and wheresoever she entereth, the Lord will bless. |
14 They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One: and them that love her the Lord doth love. |
15 Whoso giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations: and he that attendeth unto her shall dwell securely. |
16 If a man commit himself unto her, he shall inherit her; and his generation shall hold her in possession. |
17 For at the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her laws. |
18 Then will she return the straight way unto him, and comfort him, and shew him her secrets. |
19 But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give him over to his own ruin. |
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