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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Jesus, son of Sirach, says of Wisdom: "At first she will walk with him by winding paths, bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her guidance until she is sure of his soul and tests him by her statutes." What is this? Has an evil God decided to mock His children and send a terrifying wisdom that torments, leads in circles, and makes them tremble with fear? But we believe that God is good and merciful. Then why these horrors? Let us think about it. The wisdom of God is not at all the same as human wisdom. The one who receives His wisdom begins to see the world differently. And the path he walks may look winding from the viewpoint of ordinary human logic. And measuring everything that once seemed normal against the shining and blinding reality of God's truth can be simply painful. The reading ends here, but I will still continue in order to end on a brighter note. Jesus, son of Sirach, then says: "But afterward she will come to him on a straight path, make him glad, and reveal her secrets to him."
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